A Mars area man charged with indecent assault worked as an Adams Area Fire District firefighter and emergency medical technician in addition to working with Mars Youth Football and Quality EMS.

Nathan Workman Mitchell, 51, was placed on leave by the Adams Area Fire District amid an internal investigation, according to a news release by the company issued Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Adams Area Fire District said Mitchell remains a member until the district evaluates the situation via an internal investigation, Chief Talo Capuzzi and president Jason Safreed said in the Tuesday statement.

Mitchell was arrested Friday and is facing charges that accuse him of inappropriately touching two boys younger than 13 years old over the past three years, and more recently, inappropriately touching a third boy, also younger than 13, according to charges filed Monday in District Judge Amy Marcinkiewicz’s office.

“Prior to his acceptance into our organization, Mr. Mitchell underwent a thorough vetting process in compliance with district policy,” the fire district’s news release said. “The background checks conducted by Adams Area Fire District align with the recommendations of the commonwealth for organizations that may have contact with minors during their work.”

Mitchell received his Firefighter 1 certification in June 2023 after completing 150 hours of training and passing written and skills exams, according to the fire district’s website.

Police and Mars Area Recreational Sports, which Mitchell was affiliated with via Mars Youth Football, became aware of the accusations Aug. 24.

“On the evening of Sunday, August 24, the board was informed of an allegation of misconduct involving the EMT who had previously supported our program,” the M.A.R.S. board said in a news release. “The alleged incident occurred outside of our football and cheer activities, and we want to emphasize that the board has never received any complaints or reports of inappropriate behavior during program events.”

Mitchell was banned from all M.A.R.S. activities the following day. The Mars Area School District also released a statement Friday saying it was aware of the investigation and has banned Mitchell from its grounds.

Adams Area Fire District said it has no knowledge of accusations or wrongdoing by Mitchell while he was acting as a member of the fire district. It said Mitchell was acting as an independent contractor while providing coverage for the youth football organization.

He serves the district as a firefighter and EMT.

Quality EMS in Adams Township, another employer of Mitchell, released a statement Thursday saying Mitchell worked part time for the service for two-and-a-half years and is on leave. It said there were no reports of allegations or known incidents while he worked for the agency.

“As part of our standard hiring process, EMT Mitchell underwent thorough background checks conducted by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police,” the statement said.