Misconduct Allegations Against Choir Teacher Were Reported To Bucks School District: DA

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The Central Bucks choir director recently arrested on multiple felony charges has a long history in the district: he directed choir students in performances at the White House and the State Capitol, and has received online shoutouts from the pop star Pink, a former student.

But new information from law enforcement and district officials suggests that misconduct reports about Joseph Ohrt had been circulating almost as long.

In a news release Tuesday, the Bucks County District Attorney's Office announced multiple new charges in the Central Bucks High School West choir director's case, having received reports of misconduct against elementary-aged students dating back to 1991 and 1995.

Then, in a Central Bucks Board of School Directors meeting Tuesday night, board member Jim Pepper said that the school district had also filed a ChildLine report about Ohrt in 2016. (ChildLine is a Pennsylvania child protective services program providing a hotline to report suspected abuse).

Pepper said the report had ultimately been ruled "unfounded," and called on District Attorney Matthew Weintraub to address it.

"I want to know what happened with the investigation that was precipitated by the ChildLine report that this district filed against one of its own employees, which I assure you — knowing the way the world works — was not an easy thing to do," Pepper said.

The DA's office confirmed to Patch on Wednesday that law enforcement had received and reviewed a report in 2016, but said the complaint was anonymous and that the DA's office had then informed the school district.

"During an investigation, the victim was questioned, but denied being victimized by [Ohrt]," the DA's statement read. "Due to insufficient evidence, no charges were filed, and the case was determined to be unfounded."

In 2021, the DA's office received another complaint about Ohrt and the same former student.

The ensuing investigation prompted Ohrt to ask a young man living at his house to destroy recording devices and a laptop. That young man then turned these devices over to the Central Bucks Regional Police, leading to Ohrt's Feb. 8 arrest, the DA's office said.

"A forensic analysis of those devices revealed that Ohrt was secretly recording the same purported victim as from the 2016 report, in the nude, and without his permission," the DA's office said. "The victim had no idea of the recordings until they were received and reviewed by police. The recordings happened after the 2016 ChildLine allegations were investigated and deemed unfounded due to insufficient evidence."

But evidence in the DA's investigation thus far suggests some in the Central Bucks School District knew about allegations against Ohrt well before this student entered his classroom.

Ohrt began teaching in the district in 1987. Per the DA's news release Tuesday, an 11-year-old student of his (called "John" in the criminal complaint) told a Linden Elementary School principal and guidance counselor that the choir teacher had touched him inappropriately in 1991.

Ohrt was then moved to teach at the high school level, the DA said. "John" said Ohrt would call him a "rat" when they'd later cross paths at Central Bucks West.

Then in 1995, the news release detailed, Ohrt reportedly touched 13-year-old "Jack" inappropriately while he was babysitting at the choir teacher's house.

"As far as ... why Ohrt was relocated to another school, that would be something that you would probably have to ask the school district," a spokesperson for the DA's office told Patch.

When asked for comment, a spokesperson for the Central Bucks School District did not address this reshuffling, referring instead to a public statement by superintendent Abram Lucabaugh and directing further questions to law enforcement.

"What happened in 1991 or 1995, that was probably long before 99 percent of us that are in this room tonight were even involved with the district," Pepper said in his comments on the ChildLine report Tuesday night.

Superintendent Lucabaugh's statement to the Central Bucks community focused primarily on district healing.

"This latest revelation is disturbing and incredibly saddening, not only for the individuals and families involved, but for the entire Central Bucks community," Lucabaugh said. "For those who work on behalf of the children of this community, it is particularly upsetting, as the care of our almost 18,000 students is our most sacred obligation."

He added, "Incidents like this engender many emotions, and it is entirely possible for this latest announcement to induce trauma or other emotional responses; therefore, if at any point your child expresses concern or is struggling, we encourage families to seek assistance from their school counselors, or by making use of any of the resources on our website."

A commenter at Tuesday night's meeting, community member Mariann Davies, said one of her children sang in Ohrt's choirs.

"I am heartsick about it, but again I pray for healing for all those that are affected in our community," she said.

The DA's office said Central Bucks has been cooperating thoroughly with the investigation.

Lucabaugh and the DA's office also encouraged those with further information to come forward by submitting an anonymous tip online or by contacting Detective Paul Kreuter at (215) 345-4143 or Detective Greg Biedler at (215) 340-8216.

To date, Ohrt is charged with two counts each of indecent assault and corruption of minors. He also faces felony charges of interception, disclosure, or use of wire, electronic or oral communications and possession, sale, distribution, manufacture, or advertisement of electronic, mechanical, or other devices and telecommunication identification interception devices; and misdemeanor charges of invasion of privacy and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

Related: New Charges Against Central Bucks West Choir Teacher: DA

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