A local teacher and youth sports coach is accused of sexually assaulting multiple children over the past several years.
Police said several families filed complaints with Jefferson Hills police that Eric Fairman, 26, had inappropriate sexual contact with their kids, ranging in age from 10 to 12 years old, on multiple occasions.
>>>WATCH: Police discuss arrest of local youth sports coach accused of sexual assault of children
Fairman has been charged with 11 counts related to sexual misconduct involving four boys, and police said they are investigating many more potential cases.
According to the criminal complaints, one of the victims said he was 12 years old when an incident happened at his house while having a friend sleep over. The victim told police Fairman had been drinking with parents then came into his room and touched both boys.
Another victim said that in fifth grade, he would go to Thomas Jefferson High School with Fairman to shoot hoops and lift weights, then go back to Fairman’s house where the victim was assaulted on five occasions, police paperwork says.
The criminal complaint doesn’t say which youth team the incidents involved. Allegheny County police said that they along with Jefferson Hills police have made all of Fairman’s known employers that involved contact with children aware of the investigation.
“It’s very upsetting. He portrayed himself as a coach who loved to coach, but it looks like he was just looking for victims to prey on and it’s really upsetting,” said a mother of a student who was coached by Fairman over the summer.
The mother said her son was not one of Fairman’s victims, but her heart goes out to the families affected.
“I’m devastated for them too and devestated to know that it’s possibly and probably people who I know, who my kid has been on teams with,” said the mother.
Fairman has posts on his Facebook page where he has said he “loved being a coach” and is making physical contact with his players. Families have taken to these posts making comments like “You’ve ruined so many lives, and those poor kids.”
“It’s sad he was around all of these children and cheered as this great coach, and I didn’t know him like that, but to look at this Facebook page and see that stuff, it’s really disturbing it happened,” said the mother.
West Jefferson Hills School District sent out a letter Thursday morning, saying that Fairman was a Thomas Jefferson High School girls assistant basketball coach, former ninth-grade baseball coach and former substitute teacher at the district. Sardon said that when the district was notified, Fairman was immediately suspended from his basketball coaching duties and informed that he is not permitted on any district or school property.
McKeesport Area School District put a letter out saying Fairman resigned from his position as a math teacher at Founders’ Hall Middle School.
Additionally, Keystone Oaks School District sent a letter stating that Fairman resigned from his position as the varsity baseball coach on Wednesday without reason. The district said he was employed through the district as the coach since December 2021.
All three districts said Fairman has all required clearances. The schools are fully cooperating with police at this time, and said that there’s no indication improper conduct happened on school properties.
You can read the full letters from the school districts below.
Channel 11 went to Eric Fairman’s house but no one answered the door.
Neighbors told us off camera that his family often hosted large gatherings with several kids.
Fairman is facing charges including unlawful contact with a minor, indecent assault, corruption of minors and criminal use of a communication facility.
Police said he turned himself in at Allegheny County Police Headquarters around 7 a.m.. He is currently in the Allegheny County Jail waiting to be arraigned.
The investigation is ongoing; and anyone with information concerning Fairman is asked to contact Allegheny County Police 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477). Callers can remain anonymous. The department can also be reached via its social media pages.
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McKeesport Area School District
West Jefferson Hills School District
Keystone Oaks School District
Good Morning Keystone Oaks Families,
The Keystone Oaks School District has been made aware that the Allegheny County Police Department has filed charges against Mr. Eric Fairman, who had been employed as Keystone Oaks’ varsity baseball coach since December 2021. Mr. Fairman resigned from his coaching position, without reason, yesterday, Wednesday, August 31, 2022.
According to the Allegheny County Police Department, Mr. Fairman has been charged with 11 counts related to sexual misconduct involving minors.
Mr. Fairman also worked as a teacher and coach in other local school districts. He provided all required employment clearances when he was hired by the Keystone Oaks School District. The Keystone Oaks School District was first made aware of the police department’s investigation yesterday.
Additionally, Mr. Fairman coached Keystone Oaks elementary and middle school students this summer through youth baseball camps that were offered. At this time, the District has not been made aware that these charges are related to any activity involving Keystone Oaks students.
We understand that this news is very troubling and will have an impact on our students, families, and staff. This email has been sent to parents/guardians and staff members only so that you can discuss this news with your child as you feel is appropriate.
Counseling support will be made available to students; any student who needs assistance should reach out to their school counselor or building principal. Parents/guardians may also request counseling support for their child by reaching out to their child’s school counselor directly. If your child requests counseling support regarding this situation, a parent/guardian will be notified.
The safety of our students is our top priority. We do not take this situation lightly and we will continue to work with the Allegheny County Police Department throughout the course of their investigation. At this time, we are unable to share any additional information.
Thank you,
William P. Stropkaj, Ed.D.SuperintendentKeystone Oaks School District
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