Bail relaxed for accused music teacher
Bail conditions for Dale C. Schimpf have been changed from the $100,000 straight cash bail imposed at his arraignment to 10 percent of $100,000, in a ruling by Schuylkill County Judge Jacqueline Russell on Monday.
Schimpf, 71, Frackville, is an area music educator arrested Feb. 25 by Tamaqua Police and charged with felony statutory sexual assault, indecent sexual deviate intercourse by forcible compulsion, indecent sexual deviate intercourse with a person less than 16 and corruption of minors; and misdemeanor charges of indecent exposure and indecent assault on a person less than 16.
Police arrested Schimpf in the band room of Nativity B.V.M. school, Pottsville.
District Magistrate Stephen Bayer imposed the $100,000 straight cash bail, and Schimpf had been held in Schuylkill County Prison. Represented by attorney Christine Holman, he sought a bail reduction in Schuylkill County Court on Friday. Attorney Thomas Pellish represented the District Attorney’s office.
Russell imposed special conditions:
Schimpf must reside at 22 N. Spencer St., Frackville, and not move from that address without getting prior court approval.
He must abide by bail supervision conditions and report as directed to the Schuylkill County Adult Probation Office.
He is not allowed to use any electronic device for internet; he shall have no contact with any person who is under the age of 18 years old and is not allowed to have contact with the alleged victim, a 13-year-old boy.
He must surrender his passport and any travel within Schuylkill County must be approved by the adult probation office. He is not allowed to travel outside Schuylkill County, except for medical or other approved activities.
Schimpf has a preliminary hearing before Bayer on April 23.
According to the police arrest report, Schimpf was in contact with the boy through the online dating app “Grindr.” Schimpf asked to meet the victim after saying he thought he was “cute and I like younger,” then sent him a photo of his genitals. He picked up the victim Feb. 23 at the boy’s home in Tamaqua, took him to dinner and then to his home in Frackville, where the victim said he was forced to participate in sexual acts.
When interviewed by police, Schimpf admitted having sex with the boy, but said he was under the impression the boy was a 30-year-old man. Schimpf was a music educator at three Schuylkill County schools, North Schuylkill, Cardinal Brennan and Nativity B.V.M.