Prep Coach Suspended After Prostitution Sting Arrest

A high school boys basketball coach in central Pennsylvania has been suspended indefinitely after he was arrested last month in a prostitution ring.

Pete Long, who has coached at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School in Coal Township, Pa., for 14 seasons, was one of 13 people arrested May 26 after he allegedly solicited a prostitute who was a female undercover police officer, according to reports. The Lancaster Bureau of Police set up the sting operation to target customers of street-level prostitutes, the Daily Item of Sunbury, Pa., reported. 

“He has been suspended indefinitely pending outcome of the charges,” Lourdes Athletic Director Michael Klembara told the News-Item of Shamokin, Pa., on Friday. “We are still reviewing the situation.”

Long, 39, was charged with one count of solicitation of prostitution. He vehemently denies the charge.

“These charges are false, and I am not guilty,” Long told the Daily Item. “I can’t discuss the case, but I want everyone to know this was entrapment at its best and I am not guilty of this.”

Long added, “These are bogus charges, and I know the school and my job will stand behind me.”

Long has a career record of 196-156 in 14 seasons coaching the Red Raiders, according to the News-Item. Two assistant coaches will handle coaching duties this summer, and the head girls basketball coach will run the school’s summer camp in Long’s absence.

Coaching basketball is not Long’s only profession. From the Daily Item:

Long works for the state as a revenue enforcement supervisor and earns $66,465 a year, according to state records. Long made headlines in the beginning of the year when he was elected to serve on the Coal Township Board of Commissioners but declined the seat because of a conflict with his state job. Long appealed the decision by his employer but lost.

Lourdes coach denies charge of soliciting a prostitute https://t.co/gk729IeGAq

— The Daily Item (@dailyitem) June 3, 2016