Bond set at 10 percent of $50,000
“Given some facts known to the court, I’m going to set a $50,000 10 percent bond.” – Judge Terri Stupica
The Chardon Schools staff member accused of inappropriate conduct with a student made his initial appearance in Chardon Municipal Court Wednesday morning.
Tyler Merkle, 26, has been charged with one count of sexual battery, a third-degree felony punishable by a maximum of nine to 36 months in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Merkle, who is a part-time tutor/study hall monitor and assistant football coach at Chardon High School, is alleged to have had inappropriate conduct with a 15-year-old female student, according to multiple law enforcement sources familiar with his arrest.
Authorities were alerted after the female’s mother found inappropriate letters Merkle had sent the female, the sources said.
Attorney Rick Perez represented Merkle at his initial appearance and addressed Judge Terri Stupica on the issue of bond.
“My client is a lifelong resident of Chardon, continues to live in Chardon, will continue to live in Chardon. He has no prior criminal record whatsoever. He is a college graduate. He is very well liked in the community,” Perez said, before requesting bond be set at 10 percent of $50,000.
Stupica informed Perez she had signed a search warrant earlier Wednesday morning in the case.
“Given some facts known to the court, I’m going to set a $50,000 10 percent bond,” she said.
Stupica also imposed conditions of bond, including that Merkle is to have no contact with any female under 18 years of age.
The judge further advised Perez if Merkle fails to complete any mental health “situation” prior to final disposition of the case, it would be included on a shared law enforcement database.
Merkle did not enter a plea Wednesday. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 25.
Chardon Schools Superintendent Michael Hanlon emailed parents late Tuesday afternoon to advise them the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office had confirmed an investigation regarding a part-time staff member’s alleged inappropriate relationship with a student had been launched.
“Chardon High School tutor Ty Merkle has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation,” Hanlon wrote in the email.
Merkle was taken into custody Tuesday, after Geauga County Sheriff’s Office notified high school administrators of their intent to question him concerning allegations of an inappropriate relationship involving a student.
He later was arrested and currently is jailed at the Geauga County Safety Center.
In an earlier email Tuesday, Hanlon informed parents a background check on Merkle was completed in 2012 and did not indicate any convictions that would have precluded employment with the school district or licensure by the state of Ohio.
“We value the trust that you place in us, in the care and education of your child, and have no tolerance for any behaviors that put our students at risk,” said Hanlon. “Their safety and security is always our utmost concern.”
