Former Butler school board member Halle released on unsecured bond
Former Butler school board member William “Bill” Halle was released on unsecured bond after being arrested by city police Wednesday, May 31, according to officials.
Halle, 58, was taken into custody at 100 Center Ave., which is the address for Net Outreach Center, after being accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old he employed and counseled at the center.
He was placed in Butler County Prison while awaiting arraignment from the on-call district judge, Kevin Flaherty, and later released on an unsecured bond of $100,000.
An unsecured bond is used to ensure a defendant follows the conditions set in place by the court. Should a defendant fail to follow the bond conditions, they would have to pay the bond amount.
Officials said the conditions set by Flaherty show Halle must report to adult probation for pretrial supervision, refrain from using the internet, and is forbidden to have contact with the minor.
Halle is charged with four felonies, including sexual assault by a volunteer or employee of a nonprofit, corruption of minors, criminal use of a communication facility and criminal solicitation.
Charges were filed against Halle on Tuesday, May 30, nearly one month after Butler County Common Pleas Judge S. Michael Yeager issued a temporary sexual violence protection order that claimed Halle had a sexual relationship with the minor.
According to charging documents, a ChildLine report was filed May 1 stating Halle was seen being intimate with the 17-year-old while sitting on a street curb near the minor’s home in Butler Township.
The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. April 27, and Butler Township police responded.
According to a May 1 report, it was determined that Halle had employed and counseled the 17-year-old through Net Outreach Center.
Net Outreach is connected to Grace Youth and Family Foundation, which Halle founded in 1994. A May 1 Facebook post by the organization said it would be closed for the summer.
The Center Avenue address is listed as Halle’s home address in police documents.
Halle is scheduled to appear July 10 for a preliminary hearing before District Judge William Fullerton.
