Hatboro-Horsham Coach Charged With Providing Booze To Student
By Brad Segall
HORSHAM, Pa. (CBS) -- The former girl's cross country coach at Hatboro-Horsham High School in Montgomery County is under arrest, accused of providing alcohol to a 17-year-old athlete at the school.
The investigation began when she went to her guidance counselor.
William Lichtner, 24, of Ambler, is facing charges that include corruption of minors and furnishing alcohol to minors. Police say Lichtner, on at least eight occasions this year, supplied alcohol to the teenage girl.
What's disturbing about this case, according to DA Risa Ferman, is that the high school last year lost two former students in an underage drinking crash.
"When I think about what must be going on in that community, I think it's an absolutely gross violation of trust by this adult who was in a position of trust and authority," Ferman told reporters today.
Court records show that the teen wore a wire during the probe, and during one conversation she and Lichtner discussed money she owed him for alcohol that he had provided.
The district attorney says Lichtner passed criminal background checks for his job; the school superintendent says he's disheartened by the coach's actions.
Lichtner is free on unsecured bail.
