Police: Easton official charged with making threat against 2 boys
Easton’s longtime public works director has been charged with threatening two boys, ages 11 and 12, according to police and court records.
David G. Hopkins, 51, of Easton faces charges of making terroristic threats and harassment, both misdemeanors, and two counts of harassment by following someone in a public place, which are summary offenses.
He was arraigned Thursday by District Judge
Robert C. Weber of Easton and released on $5,000 bail, records show. He faces an as-yet unscheduled preliminary hearing.
The incident happened about 5 p.m. Oct. 21 in the 300 block of Hamilton Street, just off Lafayette College’s campus, police said. Hopkins was walking home when the boys approached him.
According to police Chief Carl Scalzo, who on Sunday reviewed the criminal complaint for The Morning Call:
One of the boys showed Hopkins a Pokemon game card, to which Hopkins said, “Good for you,” before dismissing him with an expletive. The younger boy muttered a curse word under his breath before the boys walked away.
Hopkins followed the boys, who ran a few blocks to the entrance to Lafayette’s Allan P. Kirby Sports Center on Pierce Street.
Hopkins caught up with the 12-year-old and told him, “Take this as a lesson. If I find you or that [expletive] again, I will hunt you down,” and threatened violence against the pair.
Scalzo said Hopkins initially told police he went after the boys to obtain their parents’ names, so he could explain the initial encounter with the card. The chief said Hopkins only spoke with one parent, however. The children’s parents called police and identified Hopkins as the man who threatened the 12-year-old.
Hopkins did not respond Sunday to a message seeking comment. As a top city administrator, he oversees more than 100 fulland part-time employees and an annual budget of more than $17 million. Online records show his 2021 salary was $110,748. Former Mayor Phil Mitman named Hopkins public works director in 2004.
Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said Hopkins spoke to him about the incident, and City Council was apprised Wednesday in executive session. The notification didn’t happen sooner, he said, because the investigation was ongoing.
“We support him and know him to be a really good guy,” Panto said. “There are two sides to the story, and I hope he tells his side.”
Scalzo said Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck approved the complaint.