Buffalo Township teacher sometimes handcuffed teen during sex, police allege

Fear that her future in volleyball could be at risk was at least one reason the victim of alleged sexual assaults by a teacher and former coach did not report the incidents earlier, court records suggest.

Jared Lampus, 50, of Buffalo Township was arrested Friday and accused of a bevy of sex crimes related to allegations of sexual contact with a minor that began when the victim was 16.

He is charged with rape, sexual assault, trafficking, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, institutional sexual assault, sexual assault by a sports official, aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors, unlawful contact with a minor, criminal attempt-involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and theft by deception.

Lampus is a teacher at Freeport Elementary School and served as coach at Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball Association until July.

He has been suspended from his teaching position and resigned from the volleyball association.

According to a criminal complaint filed against him, Lampus began sexually abusing the minor in July 2023. Police said the teacher and the girl had numerous forced sexual interactions throughout Allegheny, Butler and Armstrong counties in locations including sites near the Pittsburgh Mills, Lampus’ Buffalo Township home and Harrison Hills Park.

The criminal complaint also states Lampus had sex with the minor multiple times in a Buffalo Elementary School classroom. According to court papers, the victim told police she didn’t stop Lampus because she worried about her career in volleyball.

At certain points, police said, Lampus texted the girl every day. According to the complaint, he bought the minor roses before instructing her to throw the flowers away before going home, and he sometimes gave the girl money after sex.

Lampus also handcuffed the minor twice, the complaint said. When she complained she felt trapped, the victim told police, Lampus said “I know you don’t want me to stop,” according to court papers.

Freeport Area School District released a statement saying it “has been notified that one of its elementary teachers is the subject of a law enforcement investigation. At this time, the school district does not have complete information regarding the circumstances involved.

“The safety of our students is the highest priority of the Freeport Area School District. Accordingly, the teacher involved has been placed on leave pending further information or the outcome of the investigation.”

The district did not immediately comment about the alleged sexual interactions on school grounds.

Ashley Green, director of the Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball Association, released an email statement saying the association “has been notified that one of its former coaches is the subject of a criminal investigation unrelated to his involvement with the organization.

“The coach involved resigned from the organization effective July 30, has not been present at the organization’s facility since that date and will not be returning to Pitt Elite,” the statement said.

Lampus is being held in the Butler County jail in lieu of $500,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 26 before District Judge Jack D. Ripper.