A Rochester Area School Board member, who also coaches Little League football, was arrested in a prostitution sting, Channel 11 News learned on Tuesday.
Joseph Howard Long was arrested after police said he solicited sex with a woman for $120 in Center Township, Beaver County. Officials said he is facing charges of patronizing prostitution.
Long, who has been on the school board for a year, resigned amid the allegations.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, Long contacted a woman via text messages and inquired about paying for sex. Police said Long agreed to meet a female prostitute at 4 p.m. on Nov. 16 at the My Place Hotel to buy 20 to 30 minutes of sex.
When Long arrived at the hotel, he went directly to the agreed-upon hotel room, police said in the affidavit.
Center Township police said they had no idea who Long was when they arrested him at the hotel during the prostitution sting. Additionally, police said Long, who works as a contractor, showed up at the hotel driving a work truck.
"It came to our attention several days later that this was an elected official in Beaver County," Center Township Police Chief Barry Kramer said.
Rochester Area School District Superintendent Jane W. Bovalino issued the following statement Wednesday:
“These pending charges, whether guilty or not, are very embarrassing and not a reflection of the morals and values we strive to exhibit and teach our children within the Rochester Area School District.”
It was not clear whether Long was also suspended from his coaching position.
Cox Media Group
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