JOHNSTOWN — A city councilman, school coach and special education teacher was arrested Thursday on allegations that he sent inappropriate messages to students.
State Police charged Scott M. Jeffers, 42, of Johnstown, with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.
The investigation was launched after State Police said the superintendent of the Greater Johnstown School District reported allegations of “inappropriate communications between Jeffers and students.”
Troopers charged Jeffers with child endangerment for communicating with a student younger than 17. They described some of the communications as sexual in nature and said he also discussed drug use and physical violence.
The communications were via social media, text messages, voice calls, and in person, troopers said.
Neither Jeffers nor his attorney, Christopher Stanyon, of Gloversville, could be reached for immediate comment.
Jeffers is a Republican on the Common Council. He also coaches track and field and soccer at Johnstown Junior/Senior High School and teaches special education there. Police said his coaching gave him “additional access to the victim.”
State Police said they are trying to determine if there are other victims. Anyone with information about the case can call State Police at 518-457-6811 or email crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.
Jeffers, who has previously expressed interest in running for mayor, is the second elected Johnstown official to be arrested within a year.
Former Treasurer Thomas Herr, also a Republican, was arrested in October on charges of official misconduct, falsifying business records and grand larceny in connection to his work with the city. He resigned and weeks later, won reelection. At that point, he had already decided not to serve again, according to the Daily Gazette. Through a referendum that November, the treasurer’s position was changed to an appointed post.