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Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Ivy League-feeder high school quietly suspends renowned soccer coach for illegal betting scheme... after pedo teacher was arrested
A Pennsylvania high school soccer coach was quietly suspended amid scandal after being caught allegedly gambling with students. David Zimmerman, a nationally recognized soccer coach at the prestigious Conestoga High School in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, was caught back in January reportedly placing 'prop bets' with students on the school's basketball games. Zimmerman, who was named 2022 National Boys Soccer Coach of the Year for large public high schools, initially served a brief suspension over the course of a few days last winter following an internal investigation, according to The Inquirer. The school, which is located in one of the most affluent districts in Pennsylvania, reportedly opened an investigation after learning of the alleged betting through 'secondhand' sources in January, and found that the gambling began last year 'on a limited basis.' Zimmerman and Conestoga's principal Amy Meisinger were not immediately available for comment when contacted by the Daily Mail. Prop bets consist of wagers placed on specific occurrences or certain players' statistics during games. It is a form of sports gambling that the NCAA has lobbied the federal government to ban. The prestigious Conestoga High School launched an investigation into the activity in January It is unclear if any of the Conestoga basketball players were aware that Zimmerman and students were betting on them. The wagering is said to have been limited to small amounts - as little as $10. The school's investigation reportedly found no evidence of widespread gambling or Venmo payments. Zimmerman is also said to have made no profit from the activity. However, Zimmerman, who has several state soccer championships to his name and has taught at the school since the mid-1990s, wasn't dismissed from his position. Instead, the coach apologized to the parents of students involved in the betting, according to the report. He also reportedly served a brief internal suspension from the school for a few days during the winter. The school, which sends 95 percent of its graduates to college, seemingly attempted to keep the scandal under wraps, making no formal announcement. As of Sunday, Zimmerman was still listed as Conestoga's boys' soccer coach on the school's official website. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, a governing body of high school athletics, began to receive anonymous tips about gambling at Conestoga High School. But the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association informed The Inquirer that it was 'an internal school matter.' Conestoga, located about 15 miles west of Philadelphia, is considered to be a top-rated public high school with strong academic and athletic programs. Last year, more than two dozen students from Conestoga were accepted at Harvard, Yale, and other Ivies. Meanwhile, it also boasts athletic success. Conestoga won 29 Central Athletic League titles between 2020 and 2024, nine of which were earned by Zimmerman's soccer team. However, Zimmerman's alleged gambling scandal isn't the only storm the school has had to weather over the past few months Michelle Mercogliano, a special-ed teacher at the Conestoga High School, was arrested earlier this year after allegedly bringing a student to her parents' home and having sex with him about a dozen times. The married teacher, 35, was charged in April after the 16-year-old victim's family contacted police. She faces 63 charges including Institutional Sexual Assault and the Corruption of Minors. She's also accused of providing medical marijuana to the teen, the Chester County District Attorney said. Mercogliano began a sexual relationship with the boy in February, according to a criminal complaint from the Tredyffrin Township Police Department. The boy's father provided to police some marijuana packaging he found in his son's closet with Mercogliano's name on the label, according to the affidavit. 'The [victim] disclosed that after school he would walk from Conestoga High School to the... apartment complex where Mercogliano would pick him up in the back parking lot and drive to his home, to her parents' residence, or drive him to the Sunnyside Marijuana Dispensary in Phoenixville,' court documents obtained by ABC News stated. The investigation began after the victim told his sister of his relationship with Mercogliano and the sibling then informed the boy's parents. The pair allegedly had sex about 12 times, the victim told police, and often in Mercogliano's parents' home in Wayne, according to the complaint. Mercogliano was also said to have provided the boy with pot about 15 times. She allegedly communicated with him through Snapchat 'as to go undetected,' or via text message. The school's football team made national headlines in 2016 over hazing allegations. A freshman player claimed he was assaulted with a broom handle during what the team called 'No Gay Thursday.' Three players later pleaded guilty to lesser harassment charges.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Chester County teacher accused of student sex assault surrenders, released on bail
The Brief A Chester County teacher accused of sexually assaulting a student surrendered to authorities on Monday. She was released on bond, and is expected back in court by the end of the month. Michelle Mercogliano is charged with sexual assault, along with supplying marijuana to the victim. BERWYN, Pa. - A teacher charged with sexually assaulting a student in Chester County was released on bail Monday shortly after turning herself into authorities. What we know Michelle Mercogliano posted $100,000 bail on Monday after surrending to Tredyffrin Township Police. The 35-year-old special education teacher is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old student from Conestoga High School, while supplying him with marijuana. She was charged l;ast week with institutional sexual assault, corruption of minors, delivery of a controlled substance and other related offenses, but officials say she was not immediately taken into custody for medical reasons. The backstory Mercogliano first started communication with the 16-year-old victim earlier in the school year through Snapchat and text messaging, according to a criminal complaint. Police said she had provided the teen with medical marijuana about once a week since December 2024 and started having a sexual relationship with the victim in February, with the majority of the sexual contact at her home. Court documents state that the teen's father found medical marijuana packaging in his son's bedroom closet with the teacher's name on the label. Police also downloaded the victim's cell phone, which revealed communications between him and Mercogliano. "We heard from family members that there was a concern that there was a sexual relationship between a student and a teacher," said Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe, Chester County District Attorney. What's next Mercogliano is due back in court by the end of the month. The Source Information from this article was provided by Chester County officials and court documents.
Daily Mail
02-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Pennsylvania special-education teacher, 35, charged for sex assaults on 16-year-old student
Pennsylvania special-education teacher, 35, charged for sex assaults on 16-year-old student A married special-education teacher in Pennsylvania is facing over 60 charges for allegedly bringing a student to her parents' home and having sex with him about a dozen times and providing him with medical marijuana. Michelle Mercogliano, 35, was charged on Wednesday after the 16-year-old victim's family contacted police. The teacher at Conestoga High School in Berwyn could be indicted on 63 charges, including institutional sexual assault and the corruption of minors. Accused: Michelle Mercogliano, 35, was charged on Wednesday after a 16-year-old student's family contacted police about her allegedly having sex with the boy Mercogliano began a sexual relationship with the boy in February, according to a criminal complaint from the Tredyffrin Township PD. The student's father provided police with some marijuana packaging he found in his son's closet with Mercogliano's name on the label, according to the affidavit. Court documents obtained by ABC News stated: 'The [victim] disclosed that after school he would walk from Conestoga High School to the... apartment complex where Mercogliano would pick him up in the back parking lot and drive to his home, to her parents' residence, or drive him to the Sunnyside Marijuana Dispensary in Phoenixville.' The investigation began after the victim told his sister of his relationship with Mercogliano and the sibling then informed their parents. Fresh hiring: Mercogliano was a relatively new teacher at Pennsylvania's Conestoga High School, and she had started working there last fall The teacher and student allegedly had sex about 12 times, the victim told police, and often in Mercogliano's parents' home in Wayne, according to the complaint. Mercogliano was also said to have provided the boy with marijuana about 15 times. She allegedly communicated with him through Snapchat 'to go undetected' or via text message. The teacher lists herself as married on her Facebook page. School District Superintendent Richard Gusick said in a statement to the Philadelphia Inquirer that Mercogliano was placed on leave on Tuesday, and he added that the district was 'deeply troubled by these allegations'. Gusick said: 'We have no information at this time to indicate that the criminal investigation involves other students. The District remains committed to providing a safe and supportive school environment for all students.' According to the superintendent, Mercogliano was a relatively new teacher to the high school and had only started working there last fall. The teacher's not yet been arrested, but Chester County District Attorney's Office said she had been 'cooperative and arranging an appropriate time to turn herself in via her attorney'.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Chester County teacher faces felony charges after accusations of having sexual relationship with student
The Brief A Conestoga High School special education teacher is facing numerous felony charges for having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student. The Chester County District Attorney said the defendant had a medical issue and will promptly be taken into custody after she is cleared from a doctor. The teacher is also accused of providing medical marijuana to the student about 15 times since December 2024. BERWYN, Pa. - After being placed on leave this week when her school district learned she was being investigated for allegedly having sex with a student, a Conestoga High School teacher is charged with institutional sexual assault, corruption of minors, delivery of a controlled substance and other related offenses. What we know Michelle Mercogliano, 35, is accused of having a sexual relationship with a student at Conestoga High School, which is also where she worked as a special education reading teacher. The Chester County District Attorney said Mercogliano is not yet in custody due to medical reasons. "We learned from her attorney the defendant had an emergent medical issue. We were able to confirm that and once she is cleared, she will be promptly taken into custody, and we will be seeking a relatively high bail commensurate with the seriousness of this offense," said Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe, Chester County District Attorney. What they're saying Mercogliano faces numerous felony charges including Sexual Assault, Unlawful Contact with Minor and Sexual Contact with Student. Student Cecilia Kennedy didn't know Mercogliano personally but like many in the school community find the allegations deeply disturbing. "I'm honestly really uncomfortable and I'm surprised," said Kennedy. "I feel like it's just unsettling a teacher at my school would do that. Obviously, she should be in jail for a really long time." Timeline According to the police criminal complaint, Mercogliano first started communication with the 16-year-old victim earlier in the school year through Snapchat and text messaging. Tredyffrin Township Police said the teacher provided the teen with medical marijuana about once a week since December 2024 and started having a sexual relationship with the victim in February. Police said the majority of the sexual contact was at the teacher's home. Court documents said the teen's father found medical marijuana packaging in his son's bedroom closet with the teacher's name on the label and police also downloaded the victim's cell phone which revealed communications between him and Mercogliano. "We heard from family members that there was a concern that there was a sexual relationship between a student and teacher," said de Barrena-Sarobe. "Parents and students need to be able to trust that their teachers are going to be providing for students in all the right ways. This is all the wrong ways and we're going to hold this teacher accountable." School district statement The Tredyffrin Easttown School District released the following statement on Wednesday: Dear TESD Families and Community, Today, Tredyffrin Township Police and the Chester County District Attorney informed the District that charges have been filed against a Conestoga High School teacher, Michelle Mercogliano, related to alleged unlawful conduct with a Conestoga High School student. Ms. Mercogliano was placed on leave yesterday immediately after the District was made aware of the investigation, and she no longer has access to District property. The District appreciates the work of the Tredyffrin Township Police Department and District Attorney and is cooperating with the investigation. Out of respect for student privacy and the integrity of the investigation, the District will not provide additional comment or details at this time. Ms. Mercogliano began teaching at Conestoga this past fall. She was a teacher at Hillside Elementary School from 2019 to 2024 and a paraprofessional at Hillside Elementary and Valley Forge Elementary Schools from 2014 to 2018. We have no information at this time to indicate that the criminal investigation involves other students. However, if you have details you believe are relevant to this investigation, please contact Tredyffrin Township Police at 610-644-3221. We are deeply troubled by these allegations. The District remains committed to providing a safe and supportive school environment for all students. We encourage you to contact your child's Principal if any child needs support. Sincerely,Dr. Richard GusickSuperintendent of Schools
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
High School Teacher Faces 63 Felony Charges After Allegedly Having Sex with 16-Year-Old Student
Michelle Mercogliano is facing 63 felony charges after being accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student Authorities also claim that she provided the teen with marijuana After learning of the investigation, Mercogliano was immediately placed on leave from the Conestoga High School where she taught A Pennsylvania high school teacher is accused of sexually abusing a student and for also allegedly providing the minor marijuana. Michelle Mercogliano is facing 63 felony charges, including multiple counts of unlawful contact with a minor and possession with intent to distribute, according to court records reviewed by PEOPLE. The Chester County District Attorney's Office and Tredyffrin Township Police Department allege that Mercogliano, who was a teacher at Conestoga High School at the time, began having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student in February. They also claim she provided the teen with marijuana — all of which the police learned about earlier this week before launching an investigation into the allegations. Although Mercogliano, 35, has not yet been arrested, she is cooperating and arranging a time to turn herself in, per a release the district's office posted to Facebook on Wednesday, April 30. 'Parents and students should be able to trust their teachers,' District Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe said in a statement. 'The Defendant broke the law and destroyed that trust. It will not be tolerated.' Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Citing a criminal complaint, ABC affiliate WPVI reported that the student said he had sex with Mercogliano approximately 12 times and that the majority of the encounters occurred in the home of the teacher's parents. The criminal complaint also reportedly alleges that Mercogliano used Snapchat to communicate with the student. In a statement shared by the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District, Superintendent Richard Gusick said Mercogliano was immediately placed on leave and that she no longer has access to school property. 'Ms. Mercogliano began teaching at Conestoga this past fall,' Gusick said. 'She was a teacher at Hillside Elementary School from 2019 to 2024 and a paraprofessional at Hillside Elementary and Valley Forge Elementary Schools from 2014 to 2018. We have no information at this time to indicate that the criminal investigation involves other students.' Read the original article on People
