The following is the result of a more than 18-month long investigation by Talk Williamsport into the Williamsport Area High School Baseball Team trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in the spring of 2018.
This story is graphic and contains details related to multiple indecent sexual assaults.
The author and editor of this story have made the editorial decision to not publish the names of the individuals under the age of 18 at the time of the incident who have been clearly identified as committing these acts in this case since they have not been formally charged with a crime.
A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball
IF NOTHING HAPPENED IN MYRTLE BEACH
WHY WON’T THE WASD TELL US THE STORY?
PART XIV
By Todd Bartley, Talk Williamsport
News@talkwilliamsport.com
LYCOMING COUNTY CHIEF DETECTIVE WEBER
FAILED TO FILE A REPORT
OF AN ALLEGED INDECENT SEXUAL ASSAULT
UNTIL MYRTLE BEACH POLICE
REQUESTED INFORMATION ON HIS INVESTIGATION
FIVE MONTHS LATER
As noted in Part II of this series Lycoming County Chief Detective William Weber is a man of his word as it relates to notifying the Myrtle Beach Police Department about the incident in question.
THE VIDEOS WERE ALREADY BEING SHARED
By the time interviews of players began the video of the indecent assault had already been provided to Weber and viewed by WAHS Head Principal Brandon Pardoe and many others.
Around the time the “Millionaire Baseball Mayhem in Myrtle Beach” story broke on August 24, 2018, Detective Weber called this author and admitted to being in possession of at least one video.
When challenged on the point of Lycoming County having jurisdiction in the indecent assault depicted on the video and the tape needing to be sent to Myrtle Beach authorities, Weber offered the following; “we’re not going to do that.”
When Weber makes the statement, “we’re not going to do that” who is “we’re” referring to?
Is it the official position of the Office of the Lycoming County District Attorney?
Or, the Williamsport Area School District?
Or, the Williamsport Bureau of Police?
Did Weber subpoena phone records of those on the Myrtle Beach trip as fact evidence to ensure justice for the victim?
Or by not, was it a baseball courtesy?
MBPD FOIA ANSWERS CONFIRM WEBER FAILURE TO REPORT
The Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Police Department provided answers and documentation originally requested by Talk Williamsport in October 2019 and updated its request in January of this year.
Information was obtained by Talk Williamsport on April 30, 2020 from the Freedom of Information Act request which sought documents related to the “indecent and inappropriate behavior of Williamsport Millionaire baseball players during the 2018 trip to Myrtle Beach”.
Information provided by the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Police Department (MBPD) confirms details previously exclusively reported by Talk Williamsport.
It also fills in some omitted or missing information previously requested in Right-to-Know requests submitted to the Williamsport Area School District.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department began their investigation in late September 2018 based on a phone call and website link to the “Millionaire Mayhem” story from this author.
Based on that tip, MBPD set into motion a number of phone calls and emails as noted in PART XIII of this series seeking information related to the case.
The MBPD formal Incident/Investigation Report is dated October 20, 2018 more than five months after the initial ChildLine call was made and case referral to the Lycoming County District Attorney’s office.
According the MBPD Incident/Investigation Report dated October 20, 2018 authored by MBPD Detective Glenn Porter; entry on October 3, 2018 at 0936 hrs:
“Mr. Weber gave me a synopsis of events that took place after this was reported to him sometime in Mid-May of 2018. (redaction of next 3 sentences)
“Mr. Weber did not initially complete a report but facilitated the handling of this incident along with the school.”
“At the time, Mr. Weber did not see anything criminal based on Pennsylvania standards, and the matter appeared resolved, so he did not complete a report or refer this matter to MBPD.”
Talk Williamsport has confirmed from multiple sources as reported in this series; Weber commonly referred to the incident as a “prank.”
The video in question was sent regular mail on October 11, 2018 to the MBPD.
Weber did not send it certified mail, no return receipt, just regular mail.
Is it standard practice for the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office to send sensitive evidence of a sexual nature via regular mail?
According the report, MBPD Detective Porter acknowledged receipt of the video on October 16, 2018.
He also states, “I did not not receive an email with Weber’s report and synopsis. I emailed him this date requesting it.”
MBPD FILES THEIR OWN REPORT BASED ON THE VIDEO
October 20, 2018
“On this date, upon returning to work, I Detective Porter received an email from William Weber which contained his report as well as typed document giving a background to the incident.” (redacted)
“I reviewed this information and copied it to the investigations (redacted).”
“On this date at 0820 hours I attempted to call (redacted) and left now the 4th voicemail.”
“Due to the ever-increasing details and now seeing the video obtained from Detective William Weber, I have now generated a case number to attach this information to even though I have not been able to speak to a victim.”
“The video of the incident was placed in Myrtle Beach Property and Evidence under this case number 18-(redacted).”
MBPD Incident/Investigation Report dated October 20, 2018 authored by MBPD Detective Glenn Porter identifies a victim and a suspect.
On October 26, 2018 at 1541 hours, Porter adds an entry:
On October 26, 2018 I received a phone call from (redacted) gave me the below contact information:
(12 lines redacted)
“I advised, (redacted) that I had obtained the report done by William Weber indicating all parties had an interview (redacted) read (redacted) the information (redacted).”
Who did Detective Porter speak with on this date?
Could it have been attorney George Lepley?
According to the report filed by Detective Porter, December 26, 2018:
“I recommend this case be administratively closed with room to reopen if extenuating circumstances arise.”
ALL QUIET FOR NEARLY A YEAR
The only movement in the case after that appears to be the article from this author in May of 2019.
The article, Fans often ask me, what if? raises significant questions about the handling of this case,
The file goes quiet for more than a year.
RYAN GARDNER ELECTED LYCOMING COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY-NEW CASE PERSPECTIVE
The case is reopened based on a call to MBPD from the office of newly elected Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner on January 11, 2020 at 1454 hrs.
The entries stop at February 11, 2020, however Talk Williamsport has confirmed the case in Myrtle Beach remains open.
DA-1 REPORT FILED BY WEBER ON OCTOBER 8, 2018
In a stunning discovery in the documents provided by the Myrtle Beach Police Department, a form labeled: DA-1 Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office is dated October 8, 2018 and signed by William Weber, Badge# Chief 1.
The report notes Date Reported: May 18, 2018
Date from: Mid April 2018
It notes 3 subjects and provides details for each.
Under Narrative it says, “See attached”
Case Status: Active
On the next page, it reads along the top of the page:
Follow-up Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office Docket #
“In mid-May 2018, I received a call (redacted) in regards to a complaint (redacted) about the behavior of some (redacted) in Myrtle Beach SC.”
The entire page is (redacted) until the very last paragraph authored by Weber.
“This report was written based on my limited note taking and my memory from May 2018. I did not prepare a report at the time.”
So if Detective Weber only took limited notes during his investigation; does that mean WAHS Head Principal Brandon Pardoe has more robust notes of the interviews he conducted?
Was Pardoe aware of the fact Weber only took limited notes and did not file a report during the call from MBPD Detective Aiesi in September of 2018?
If so, why would Pardoe not volunteer his notes and information to get to the truth of this matter, unless he had something to hide?
Would an incident report not be vital in handing out a punishment to ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 and ALLEGED VIDEOGRAPHER #1 at the law enforcement or school level?
Two days later on October 10, 2018, Weber authors a 3-page narrative on Criminal Investigative Unit Detective Bureau letterhead.
“Detective Porter, Wanted to follow-up with you a little background of what is going on with this case. The rest of page 1 is (redacted).
Page 2 opens with, “Page 8 Titled Millionaire Baseball Mayhem in Myrtle Beach. Dated August 24 (2018).” The rest of page 2 is (redacted).
Do the Page 2 redactions include a narrative attacking this author?
Page 3 contains a single paragraph and concludes with “Respectfully and Stay Safe signed by Weber, William Weber, Chief Detective Lycoming County”
Why did it take the better part of 5-months for Weber to author a report?
Was it to protect the opportunity of ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 to continue his athletic career?
Was the reason Myrtle Beach law enforcement was never called in this case; once it was in their hands any ability to control the outcome would be gone?
From PART XIII
Why does Pardoe state “I know its in your jurisdiction but certainly he’s (Weber) the one that can give you the best information” and had to have MBPD Detective Aiesi call him in September of 2018 to inform him of what he claims to not know?
Why had Pardoe in his role as a mandatory reporter; failed to call the MBPD, since of his own admission “I know its in your jurisdiction” about the incident in the first place?
Why does Pardoe continue to give Detective Aiesi the run around, when he has knowledge of the incident having conducted an investigation as documented in the WASD Right to Know answers previously provided?
Did Pardoe as head principal of Williamsport Area High School have a supervisory role of WASD employees, staff and students in this case?
Why wasn’t the first phone call Brandon Pardoe made to the Myrtle Beach Police Department be out of an abundance of caution?
If nothing happened on the 2018 Williamsport Baseball team trip to Myrtle Beach why was Pardoe stonewalling MBPD Detectives in 2018?
FROM PART I
“INDECENT AND INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR”
In August of 2018, Talk Williamsport received the following from the Williamsport Area High School Solicitor Fred Holland, of the local law firm Holland Murphy, Butterfield, & Holland, P.C. in response to a request for information for the original Millionaire Mayhem story:
“Hello, Todd.
Near the end of the school year, an incident involving indecent and inappropriate behavior on the part of a baseball player during the team’s spring trip was brought to the attention of District officials. A prompt investigation was done, and appropriate discipline was imposed. By the time the District was aware of the incident, law enforcement officials had already been contacted.”
As a follow-up, Talk Williamsport reached out to the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office for comment on the story at the time and received the following from the lead attorney for juvenile cases, Jeff Yates:
“Mr. Bartley: Based on case law and the Juvenile Act I cannot respond to your inquiry.”
South Carolina law enforcement officials retain jurisdiction in any potential criminal complaint since that is where the incidents occurred.
FROM PART II
Is this case not in the jurisdiction of Myrtle Beach authorities?
WASD confirmed the involvement of Pardoe in criminal and non-criminal investigations in their partial RTKL denial on July 18, 2019
- Requested of Pardoe and WASD (Erroneously numbered as 5) Written documentation of first contact from law enforcement received by WASD pertaining to an alleged indecent assault of a student athlete during the baseball team’s Myrtle Beach trip — Denied because these records relate to a criminal investigation.
- (Erroneously numbered as 6) Written documentation identifying law enforcement officers assigned to the case from South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and WASD pertaining to an alleged indecent assault of a student athlete during the baseball team’s Myrtle Beach trip — Denied because these records relate to both criminal and non-criminal investigations.
- (Erroneously numbered as 7) Notes taken by Brandon Pardoe during interviews with students, parents, and staff— First, it is assumed that your request seeks notes pertaining only to the alleged indecent assault of a student athlete during the baseball team’s Myrtle Beach trip. That request is denied because these records relate to a non-criminal investigation, constitute notes by a public official for his own use, and/or identify a child then aged 17 or younger
- (Erroneously numbered as 8) Notes taken by Randy Zangara during interviews with students, parents, and staff— First, it is assumed that your request seeks notes pertaining only to the alleged indecent assault of a student athlete during the baseball team’s Myrtle Beach trip. That request is denied because these records relate to a non-criminal investigation, constitute notes by a public official for his own use, and/or identify a child then aged 17 or younger or denied because the records do not exist.
- (Erroneously numbered as 9) Notes taken by Sean McCann during interviews with students, parents, and staff— First, it is assumed that your request seeks notes pertaining only to the alleged indecent assault of a student athlete during the baseball team’s Myrtle Beach trip. That request is denied because these records relate to a non-criminal investigation, constitute notes by a public official for his own use, and/or identify a child then aged 17 or younger.
- (Erroneously numbered as 10) Identity of WASD staff members assigned to process the transfer of the student who is alleged to have been the victim of an indecent assault on the Myrtle Beach trip – Denied because no record exists. This request asks the district to identify employees rather than to provide a record. The RTKL requires public entities to provide documents, not to respond to interrogatories.
- (Erroneously numbered as 11) Other documents relating to the law enforcement investigation into multiple incidents that were alleged to have occurred on the Myrtle Beach trip — Denied because these records relate to both criminal and non-criminal investigations.
- (Erroneously numbered as 12) Invoices submitted by WASD’s solicitor or other attorneys who represented the district in matters related to the baseball team’s Myrtle Beach trip — Granted. See attached.
FROM PART III
JOHN DOE#1 & FAMILY MEET WITH PARDOE AND OTHERS AT WAHS
The family of JOHN DOE #1 confirmed a meeting took place on May 25, 2018 at Williamsport Area High School with JOHN DOE #1, family member (REDACTED), Weber, Pardoe, Zangara and Freed all present.
In the meeting it was disclosed by the family of JOHN DOE #1, “the video speaks for itself”.
The May 31, 2018 telephone conference Holland referred to as “Investigation”, and included High School Principal Brandon Pardoe (who was on the trip to Myrtle Beach), Lepley and Holland who again referred to the call as “pending investigations”.
Speaking of independent, where is the proof any one associated with the WASD and this matter ever contacted Myrtle Beach law enforcement authorities?
Did Pardoe file a report of the findings of his investigations with the WASD school board?
Did that report include the number of fact witnesses, victim statements, statements taken from players, coaches, or photos or videos from anyone else on the trip?
Both coaches as WASD has confirmed under the penalty of perjury were on the trip in Myrtle Beach.
Date: June 13, 2018 Time 11:54 a.m.
From David Heller (Current 9th Grade Social Studies Teacher & Assistant baseball coach)
To: Rique (Tariq Moore Assistant baseball coach)
(Father of ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 NAME REDACTED) ask me to call him..should return the call?
Heller: I would be hesitant. maybe (he) wants something else. i would talk to brandon first proly
Rique: What’s Brandon number?
Heller: (Number redacted by WASD)
Why did a pair of assistant baseball coaches concerned about a parent question and being “hesitant” because said parent “maybe (he) wants something else”, and then referring the matter to the WAHS Head Principal instead of the head baseball coach Kyle Schneider?
What “something else” did the father of ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 want?
Why did Heller say “i would talk to brandon first proly”?
The Brandon referenced above is the same WAHS Head Principal who oversaw both criminal and non-criminal investigations as noted in the WASD RTKL Denial on July 18, 2019.
LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL PRESIDENT & CEO REFUSES COMMENT
On Friday, Talk Williamsport reached out to Steve Keener, Little League International President & CEO for comment on one of the long time World Series team hosts commonly referred to as “uncles” being involved in this story.
Kevin Fountain, Director of Media Relations for Little League International provided the following response on Friday, “As I mentioned, Steve is unavailable to speak.”
One of the sons of Chief Detective William Weber is also currently employed by Little League International.
TAKEAWAYS AFTER 14 PARTS OF THIS SERIES
After reviewing 14 parts included in this series is there any doubt Brandon Pardoe actually spearheaded these investigations since he was on the trip?
Was it a baseball courtesy for a Little League uncle who happened to be a Chief Detective in Lycoming County; to run cover for a high school baseball team his son previously played for?
Is it standard practice to not file reports involving alleged crimes against children or was the Little League Pledge ignored?
Little League Pledge
I trust in God
I love my country
And will respect its laws
I will play fair
And strive to win
But win or lose
I will always do my best
Is it standard practice for local law enforcement agencies to give the run around to out of town law enforcement agencies seeking information five months later?
If nothing happened in Myrtle Beach in 2018 on the Millionaire Baseball team trip; what would the harm be in calling the MBPD, whenever people found about the indecent and inappropriate behavior?
If nothing happened in Myrtle Beach in 2018 on the Millionaire Baseball team trip; why are the people involved and the organizations they are involved with staying silent?
Part XV is forthcoming.
LINKS TO 13-PART SERIES PUBLISHED BY Talk Williamsport
A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XIII
A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XII
A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XI
A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART X
A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART IX
A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART VIII
A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART VII
A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART VI
A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART V
A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART IV
A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART III
A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART II
A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART I
