The criminal case against Hopewell Valley Regional School District Athletic Director Winfield “Tripp” Becker has moved to Bucks County Court of Common Pleas, where he is scheduled to be formally arraigned Oct. 2.
Becker, who was placed on administrative leave by HVRSD in August, waived the charges against him for court during a Sept. 2 proceeding before a magisterial district judge. The case was filed in Common Pleas on Sept. 9 and remains active, according to Pennsylvania court records.
Becker faces a third-degree misdemeanor charge of loitering and prowling at nighttime and a summary harassment charge. Both charges stem from an Aug. 6 incident in Plumstead Township, Pennsylvania.
Plumstead Township police previously said officers responded to a home in the Cabin Run development after receiving a report of an adult male looking into a young female’s bedroom window. Police said a homeowner’s surveillance video captured the incident and investigators identified Becker, whom they described as a neighbor known to the complainant.
The charges are allegations, and Becker is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Becker had initially been scheduled for a preliminary hearing in September. Court records now show that both charges were waived for court Sept. 2. The lower-court disposition is listed as “not final,” and there has been no final disposition of either charge.
The case was subsequently transferred to the Court of Common Pleas. Becker’s formal arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 2 at 11 a.m. A pretrial conference is scheduled for Nov. 17 before Judge Wallace H. Bateman Jr.
The court set Becker’s bail at $500,000 unsecured on Sept. 2. Records show he signed the bond that day without posting monetary security.
HVRSD Superintendent Dr. Rosetta Treece told MercerMe in August that Becker notified district officials of the charges himself, as required under Board of Education policy. The district subsequently placed him on administrative leave and prohibited him from being on school property while the case is pending.
Treece said at the time that the allegations did not involve HVRSD, district students or Becker’s work for the district. She also said the district was not conducting its own investigation and would cooperate with Pennsylvania authorities if requested.
Ken Mason has been serving as interim athletic director while Becker is on leave.
