Former Delone Catholic Teacher Charged with Sexual Abuse of a Student
By Kaitlin Greenockle
A former Delone Catholic High School teacher allegedly exchanged thousands of texts, which included explicit messages and images, with a female student and gave the student underwear while she was at school, according to police. Gary Jon Hatez Jr., 31, of the 300 block of Penn Street, Hanover, was arrested and charged May 24 with two counts of sexual abuse of children, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors and criminal use of a communication facility, according to a news release from the Adams County District Attorney's Office. Delone Catholic High School officials contacted McSherrystown Borough Police Chief Michael Woods on March 27 to inform him of alleged inappropriate contact and communication between a 16-year-old student and Hatez, according to an affidavit filed with District Judge Daniel Bowman. School officials told Woods that when they confronted Hatez about the allegations he admitted to purchasing and giving the student underwear on school property. Officials also reported seeing unlawful texts and pictures between Hatez and the student on the student's phone, the affidavit states. Delone Catholic High School sent out a statement regarding Hatez, who was placed on administrative leave once they were informed of the allegations. Hatez subsequently resigned from his position, according to Delone's statement. "We are saddened for our students and their families who place their trust in our faculty and staff," Delone said in the statement. Through police investigation, it was determined that Hatez bought the student a pair of thong underwear for her birthday. They also discovered texts from Hatez asking the girl to prove that she was wearing the underwear, police said in the affidavit. On March 18, after several texts from Hatez asking for proof, the girl sent a photo of herself to him wearing the underwear. In texts from Hatez to the girl after she sent the photo, he requested that she delete the messages because, "some people may get the wrong idea," police said in the affidavit. According to the Adams County District Attorney's Office, the messages between Hatez and the student started in November 2017. He was arrested at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday at his residence without incident with assistance from Hanover Borough Police Department, Woods said. The investigation is ongoing and there may or may not be more victims, he said. Other victims are asked to contact the McSherrystown Borough Police Department. Hatez is currently incarcerated in Adams County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail, the release states. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 30. There is no attorney listed for Hatez, according to online court documents. Support local journalism in Hanover with a special introductory offer for new subscribers. Hatez worked at Delone as a Social Studies teacher for 10 years and was the 2017 Golden Apple Award recipient. The award is given to teachers with professional excellence, leadership, commitment to Catholic values and devotion to teaching in Catholic schools, according to the Diocese of Harrisburg's website. As of May 24, Hatez's teaching certificate is listed as valid on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website.
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