Tamaqua district considers action against employee
The Tamaqua Area School District solicitor confirmed the district is “considering action” against an employee for an incident.
School district solicitor Jeffrey Bowe would not name the employee Thursday.
“There are procedures that we go through when we are faced with a situation like this,” he said.
Bowe declined to discuss the situation.
A video of a Tamaqua area man in an alleged sex sting was posted on YouTube and social media by Musa Harris, of Kingston, and was sent to the Times News.
Superintendent Ray Kinder said in a text message the school district is “aware of the allegations and that we are actively addressing them according to established procedures in the best interest and safety of our students and staff.”
Harris notified police.
Tamaqua Police Chief Michael Hobbs confirmed the department is investigating an incident and police applied for a search warrant through District Magistrate Stephen Bayer that was granted. The man has not yet been questioned, Hobbs said. He also declined to name him.
Harris, who identifies himself as the Luzerne County Predator Catcher, said he went to the Turkey Hill at West Hazleton at exit 143 off Interstate 81 Friday.
“I only came to that gas station to catch people,” he said. He arrived at 6 p.m.
Harris said he was chatting on the app Grindr with a man who identified himself as being from Tamaqua.
Harris posted a YouTube video from when he confronted the man. The text messages and photos are available with the video on the website. A call to the phone number listed went to voicemail.
In the text messages posted with the video, Harris identifies himself as “Josh.”
He tells the man he is “only 15” in a Grindr message.
“So what,” the man replies. He later says he is in Tamaqua.
Harris questions the man who is seen in a white car in a 22:52 second video at the Turkey Hill.
The man responds he is there to meet Josh.
“Do you want to talk to me or would you rather I call the police?” Harris asks.
Harris said he is there for awareness.
The man then says he is trying to “help” the person he was chatting with.
“If they’re here looking for something that means they are lacking something,” he responds.
Several times he asks Harris if he is “still recording.”
“I always record,” Harris says.
“Why are you doing this?” the man asks again.
“It’s for awareness,” Harris says.
The man eventually drives away in the white car.