Archbishop John Carroll High School Music Teacher Charged With Having Sexual Contact With Students, Police Say
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- An Archbishop John Carroll High School music teacher has been charged with having sexual contact with students at the Radnor Township Catholic school, police tell CBS3. The teacher, identified in court documents as Jeremy Triplett, has been on administrative leave since law enforcement began its investigation more than a month ago, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia wrote in a statement.
BREAKING: Charges have been filed against an Archbishop Carroll music teacher, @RadnorPD identifies as Jeremy Triplett. Police say the counts include institutional sexual assault, child endangerment, corruption of minors, furnishing alcohol to minors @CBSPhilly pic.twitter.com/tIYb7wLR8o
— Joe Holden (@JoeHoldenCBS3) April 30, 2019
He is facing a felony count of institutional sexual assault of a minor, as well as charges of child endangerment, corruption of minors and furnishing minors with alcohol.
Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun Copeland says Triplett had sexual contact with a female student at the school and also gave THC-laced edibles to students, along with mini-liquor bottles.
"Jeremiah Triplett used his position of trust and authority as a teacher to prey on students and endangered their health by providing them with THC infused food," said Copeland. "I would like to commend Detective Four of the Radnor Township Police Department for his thorough investigation and the victims for their courage in coming forward and providing information to ensure the defendant will be held accountable for his actions."
The high school administration previously issued a letter to the school community, writing, in part: "(A) Music teacher at our school, was recently placed on administrative leave in response to potential concerns regarding his professional conduct. The matter is currently under review."
MORE BREAKING: Jeremy Triplett is also director of The Villanova Singers and music director at a local Catholic parish; the @ArchPhilly confirms he was placed on leave from Archbishop Carroll and the parish once police launched an investigation @CBSPhilly pic.twitter.com/JlQqQ1RG2g
— Joe Holden (@JoeHoldenCBS3) April 30, 2019
Triplett is also the director of The Villanova Singers and the music director at Saint Katharine of Sienna Parish.
Sources close to the case tipped off the station to the probe, which the archdiocese has described as "concerns regarding his professional conduct." Police sources say the investigation involves potential lewd messages. The school community was alerted to the situation via an email, the archdiocese confirmed.
Radnor Township Police confirm they've received as many as three complaints concerning the teacher.
CBS3 has reached out to the archdiocese and Villanova University for comment. CBS3 has also emailed Triplett numerous times for comment.
Sources say Triplett is expected to surrender on Wednesday.