Federal authorities assisted in Buffalo Elementary teacher arrest
Federal authorities aided state police in investigations that led to the arrest of a former Buffalo Elementary School teacher and area volleyball coach accused of sexually assaulting a player, according to a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson.
Jared Lampus, 45, of Buffalo Township, pleaded not guilty in a Tuesday. Aug. 26, preliminary hearing to charges including sexual assault and human trafficking related to his alleged activities with a teenage girl on multiple occasions between July 2023 and 2025.
“Homeland Security Investigations was involved in this operation that led to the arrest of this pedophile,” according to a DHS spokesperson on Thursday, Aug. 28. “We will continue to partner with all law enforcement agencies to protect vulnerable members of our communities.”
The assaults occurred in multiple Pennsylvania counties and in Ohio and West Virginia, according to the affidavit and testimony at a recent preliminary hearing. Police said he had sex with the girl, who was 16 when they met, multiple times after meeting with her under the guise of offering her lessons in volleyball, tennis and self-defense.
District Attorney Richard Goldinger said he has not spoken with federal authorities about the case and does not know if federal charges will be filed.
The girl, now 18, testified over a Zoom video call at the preliminary hearing in Saxonburg that they met at Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball and inappropriate contact began after their first private lesson. The two visited a coffee shop after their first lesson where Lampus made comments about her body, touched her legs and arms and swiped his hand across her breasts, she testified. The sexual behavior escalated in their second meeting, according to her testimony.
She said later Lampus would pay her by slipping money into her bra after the sexual acts.
The girl testified she felt she couldn’t say “no” due to the potential implications for her volleyball career and said that Lampus reportedly threatened to kill himself and worried he would “go to jail” if caught.
Multiple assaults occurred while the two were out of state for volleyball tournaments in Ohio and West Virginia, according to the affidavit and testimony.
She testified that, at times, when she tried to move away from Lampus, he would hold her down by the arms and not let her.
Lampus was arrested Aug. 18 and charged with one felony count each of rape, human trafficking, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, sexual assault, intercourse with a student, sexual assault by a sports official, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors and criminal attempt at involuntary deviate sexual intercourse; and one misdemeanor count each of corruption of minors and theft. All charges were held for court.
Lampus is incarcerated in Butler County Prison on a $500,000 bail. Attempts to contact lead investigator Trooper Timothy Reilly with state police in Kittanning were unsuccessful Thursday morning.
