Bucks County school district relieves football coach accused in human trafficking case of duties

Pennridge School District has relieved a volunteer football coach of his duties, after his arrest in a human sex trafficking investigation in Lehigh County.

Michael James Feifel, 55, of Walnutport was charged recently with two third-degree felonies: unlawful contact with a minor involving prostitution and criminal use of a communication facility.

Feifel was a veteran social studies teacher at Lehighton Area High School as well as a volunteer football coach in other districts, including Pennridge in Bucks County.

In a statement Monday, Pennridge administrators said that when the district was made aware of the arrest and investigation, Feifel “was immediately relieved of all volunteer coaching responsibilities and any contact with children in the Pennridge School District.”

“Prior to volunteering with the Pennridge School District all required documentation, including up-to-date volunteer clearances, were received and confirmed by the school district,” the district said. “As always, the Pennridge School District's number one priority is the safety of our students.”

Lehigh County Detectives said an officer posed as a 17-year-old girl and posted ads on popular sex websites. Feifel contacted the number on the ad and asked to meet the girl, according to Feifel's criminal complaint. Pricing and specific sexual acts were agreed upon, police said.

He was taken into custody June 29 when he arrived to meet in person in South Whitehall Township, according to authorities.

In addition to Pennridge, Feifel was a football coach at Lehighton Area High School, Southern Lehigh High School, Allentown Central Catholic High School, Salisbury High School and Northampton High School. He was also a wrestling coach at Allentown Central Catholic High School.