In the summer of 2025, a disturbing episode unfolded within the halls of Cheltenham High School, where four coaches and six players were charged with assaulting a 15‑year‑old teammate.
The charges stem from two separate locker‑room attacks that occurred on August 15 and September 3, 2025, as determined by a Montgomery County grand jury.
Head coach Terence Tolbert, associate head coach Darian 'DJ' McFadden, assistant coach Benjamin Johnson III, and volunteer coach Ralph Burnley each face counts of endangering the welfare of a child and conspiracy.
Two 18‑year‑old seniors, Isaiah Simpson and Josiah Peeler, along with four other minors, were also indicted, bringing the total number of charged individuals to ten.
The Cover‑Up Attempt
Investigators found that after the September 3 assault, the coaching staff convened to discuss handling the matter internally rather than reporting it to the victim’s mother or school officials.
The victim’s mother only learned of the incident days later, prompting her to seek medical attention; physicians documented a contusion consistent with the reported abuse.
Cheltenham High School responded swiftly, suspending the football program and ultimately canceling the remainder of the season after an anonymous tip revealed the allegations.
District Attorney Kevin R. Steele emphasized that the conduct was far from typical adolescent horseplay, describing it as criminal behavior that warrants prosecution.
As of now, the exact dates for court appearances remain undetermined, and the school has not disclosed any further disciplinary measures beyond the season’s cancellation.