READING, Pa. — A former Freedom High School teacher and volleyball coach will spend the next two decades in federal prison for sexually abusing one of his student-athletes.
Federal Judge Jeffrey Schmehl sentenced Christopher Schweikert, 29, to 20 years in federal prison on Friday. Prosecutors said the former social studies teacher engaged in a sexual relationship with a teenage girl through much of 2022 and introduced her to cocaine and alcohol as well.
The girl's family discovered something amiss when she appeared with Schweikert at a New Years Eve Party, and she confessed the true nature of their ties to her brother. He alerted Bethlehem Area School District officials in January 2023, and police got involved.
Within minutes of being confronted by law enforcement, Schweikert confessed to engaging in an inappropriate relationship with his student. Prosecutors said Schweikert took the girl to a New Jersey shore town, where he recorded their sexual encounters.
Police found more than 1,000 images of child pornography on his electronic devices, including images of his victim as well as minors he had not had contact with, prosecutors said.
In September, Schweikert pleaded guilty to seven counts of producing child pornography for interstate commerce, one count of transporting a minor over state lines to commit sexual abuse and one count of possession of child pornography.
Federal guidelines called for Schweikert to serve a lifetime behind bars.
Defense attorney Sara Moyer conceded her client made a series of inexcusable mistakes and needed to be held accountable but argued the specifics of this case didn't warrant such a sentence. The same guidelines would apply to even worse crimes, such as pushing a child into sex work, she noted.
Given the nature of his crimes and that he didn't disseminate pornographic images he took of the victim, Moyer urged the judge to pass a 15 year sentence, the federal minimum.
"I find the guidelines in this case are vastly disproportionate to the offense in this case," she said.
Schweikert apologized to his victim, her family, the Bethlehem Area School District and the broader volleyball community. He also asked Schmehl for leniency.
“I am capable and willing to follow any guidelines,” he said.
While Schweikert acknowledged his selfishness caused widespread harm he said he never set out to do that.
Assistant U.S. Atty. Rebecca Kulik requested a sentence of 40 years, arguing Schweikert left a trail of destruction behind him. As a result of the abuse, the victim's therapist said she had anxiety, depression and difficulty trusting others. Her mental health was further hampered by vicious rumors and confrontations from her classmates, some of whom blamed her for Schweikert's arrest, according to the attorney. As a result, the victim missed swaths of class, setting back her education. The stress of the situation threw the victim's home life into tumult as well, Kulick said.
The victim appeared in court, telling Schmehl she was going through a difficult period with her family when Schweikert took an interest in her. At the time, she said she appreciated the attention. But as things progressed, she became co-dependent on him and began to lose herself, she said. Looking back, she saw he was manipulating her for his own selfish gains, she said.
She asked how she was supposed to move on from the mess he left in her life.
"What about me? she asked through sobs. "What about the love and self-respect I used to have for myself?"
Schweikert still faces related charges in Northampton County Court, including sexual contact with a student and sexual assault by a sports official.
Northampton County Assistant District Attorney Julianne Danchak said Thursday Schweikert is currently scheduled for trial on Jan. 29, but acknowledged the federal sentence could affect the local case.
