FALLSBURG—A volunteer with the Fallsburg Junior-Senior High School basketball program has been arrested following allegations of inappropriate behavior with students via text messages, according to Fallsburg Central School District Superintendent Dr. Ivan Katz.

In a statement sent to parents and guardians, Dr. Katz said that the district took immediate action upon learning about the messages.

“I want to bring to your attention that the District had a volunteer basketball coach who was released from his volunteer duties last week because it came to our attention that he was messaging students privately, which is inappropriate, not permitted and contrary to District Policy,” said Dr. Katz.

Dr. Katz told the Democrat that all volunteers in the district undergo the same background check process as employees, which includes fingerprinting.

According to Dr. Katz, the male individual had been volunteering with the basketball team since December 2024, and upon learning of the concerns, the district terminated its relationship with him and contacted the Fallsburg Police Department, which launched an investigation that led to the arrest last Thursday, February 20.

“Anything that really happens from here would really be a police issue, because we wouldn’t really be privy to that,” Dr. Katz said. “We are working hand in hand with the PD to address that piece of it.”

wFallsburg Police Department Chief Brendan Pavese told the Democrat, “We are working with the District Attorney’s Office to push out a press release shortly. He was arrested at the Fallsburg Police Department on 02/20/25. He is 23 years old, was released after arraignment in accordance with the bail reform laws to appear in the Fallsburg Justice Court on 02/20/25. The investigation is still ongoing.”

Dr. Katz also urged parents and students to come forward if they believe they may have been contacted by the former volunteer.

“There may be other students who were contacted but have not yet come forward. I urge any student, parent, or guardian who may have been the recipient of inappropriate messages, pictures, or requests to contact Principal Shana Bruestle at the Junior-Senior High School and the Fallsburg Police Department,” Dr. Katz said