PEKIN, Ill. – The athletic director of Pekin Community High School remains on the job after an arrest last month.
In a statement from the high school, Cole Stoner was arrested on March 29th while off-duty and charged with endangering the life of a child.
The school says Stoner reported the arrest the next day and was placed on administrative leave while an investigation took place.
The investigation revealed that Stoner reportedly consumed alcohol while sitting in his parked car while waiting for an oil change, with his own child as a passenger.
Stoner was not charged with driving under the influence.
The school says Stoner denied that he was intoxicated, but acknowledged poor judgment.
Stoner has since returned to work and remains an employee at PCHS, with the school saying they are “disappointed” in his actions but has been an “exemplary employee” prior to the incident.
The incident continues to be under review by the school, pending the outcome of the court case.
The full statement from Pekin Community High School reads:
“Pekin High School Athletic Director Cole Stoner was arrested while off-duty on Friday, March 29, 2024 and charged with endangering the life of a child. The arrest was self-reported by Mr. Stoner to PCHS the next day and he was placed on administrative leave while the matter was investigated by school officials. Law enforcement initially advised that the charge against Mr. Stoner stems from the consumption of alcohol prior to driving an automobile where his own child was a passenger. Law enforcement also indicated that Mr. Stoner has not been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or any other offense. The investigation revealed that Mr. Stoner consumed alcohol while sitting in his parked car waiting for an oil change at a local oil change facility. Mr. Stoner has denied that he was intoxicated but has acknowledged that his actions demonstrated very poor judgment. The school district’s initial investigation into this matter is now complete. The Board of Education and administration of Pekin High School are disappointed with Mr. Stoner’s actions and he has been reprimanded for his conduct and provided clear expectations for future conduct in the strongest possible terms. With that said, Mr. Stoner has been an exemplary employee at PCHS during his tenure prior to this incident and he is entitled to the presumption of innocence while his court case is pending like any other citizen. Mr. Stoner has returned to work and will remain an employee at Pekin High School at this time. This matter remains under review pending the outcome of the court case.”
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