The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

August 22, 2008

Former teacher facing charges; filmed boys at summer camp, police say

By Joe Pinchot

HERMITAGE — A Hermitage man who was suspended from his job teaching music in 2003 because of a Web site he posted has lost his job at Westminster College following allegations that he secretly filmed sex acts by four boys.

Daniel Konnen, 29, was arrested earlier this month at Camp Eagle Hill in Elizaville, N.Y., about 95 miles north of New York City, according to the Associated Press.

State Police Investigator William Popow said Konnen is accused of encouraging campers to masturbate in his room and then secretly recording them, the AP said. He's charged with promoting the sexual performance of a child, possessing a sexual performance by a child under 16 and endangering the welfare of a child.

Konnen was head camp counselor at Camp Eagle Hill in Elizaville, reported the Daily Freeman of Kingston, N.Y.

The camp ran June 29 to Aug. 16 and hosted 250 campers age 6 to 16, the Freeman said. The camp director asked police to investigate Konnen, who was interviewed Aug. 8 and arrested, the Freeman said.

Konnen had worked for the camp for several years, the Freeman said.

Konnen was released from custody with a notice to appear for a future court date. The Columbia County District Attorney told the Freeman he is preparing to present the case to a grand jury.

Konnen was stage manager at Westminster.

“He is no longer employed at Westminster College,” spokesman Mark A. Meighen said Friday.

Konnen had a nine-month contract that ended in May, and his resignation was effective Friday.

Konnen was a Grove City music teacher and assistant band director when school officials discovered a Web site he had created as a Grove City College student.

The Web site contained pictures of Konnen and friends at a Hickory High School band camp, a list of favorite songs, a scene from “South Park” and off-color jokes. Grove City School Board suspended Konnen in March 2003 for “immorality, incompetence, intemperance and persistent negligence.”

Konnen resigned in February 2004.

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