Bill Halle

A Facebook post by former Butler school board member William “Bill” Halle was cited as a violation of the temporary sexual violence protection order against him, according to official documents.

Halle was prohibited from contacting a 17-year-old minor after the juvenile’s father claimed Halle had a sexual relationship with the teen.

According to an indirect criminal contempt complaint, the comment made by Halle Monday, May 1, was a violation of the protection order issued Friday, April 28.

“I want to thank everyone who has tried to call, text, message, etc., with words of encouragement and support for me. However, I covet your prayers first for the young woman involved,” Halle said at the end of the post.

The investigating officer said the comment referred to the plaintiff. A screenshot of the post was made available to police.

The order, issued by Butler County Common Pleas Judge S. Michael Yeager, prohibits Halle from having any contact with the minor, bans him from the plaintiff’s Butler home, and prohibits him from abusing, harassing, stalking or threatening the plaintiff and posting any remarks or images of the minor on any social media website or network.

The order remains in effect until it is modified or terminated by the court.

According to Richard Goldinger, district attorney, a criminal investigation against Halle is ongoing.

“I can confirm that he has a hearing next Tuesday and that an indirect criminal contempt was filed for violating the temporary order,” he told the Eagle on Thursday.

The hearings will be held Tuesday in the Butler County Courthouse before Judge William C. Robinson in regard to the protection order and indirect criminal contempt.

According to the Pennsylvania General Assembly website, indirect criminal contempt is an action filed alleging the violation of protection orders.

Halle said he resigned from the Butler Area School District board on Sunday, April 30, as well as the boards of the Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School and the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV.

He founded Grace Youth and Family Foundation in 1994. Early Monday, a Facebook post by the foundation said it would not be operating its summer children’s program and that the adjoining Net Cafe is temporarily closing.

Halle also is president of the Butler County Republican Committee Inc., an incorporated faction of the Butler County Republican Committee that has been vying for legitimacy since the summer of 2022.

No criminal charges have been filed against Halle.