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Parents say they found out Friday that Valley Middle School choir teacher was arrested in April

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. — Parents tell Channel 11 they are upset they just found out Friday that a Valley Middle School choir teacher was arrested in April.

Joe Melnick was charged with possession of a sawed off shotgun, marijuana and drug paraphernalia in April.

"I'll gladly answer that absolutely there was no effort or intent to conceal any issue relative to this circumstance. As you know, this occurred back in April. He was immediately placed on administrative unpaid leave," said Superintendent John Pallone.

Melnick began teaching at the school five years ago. His lawyer said he's a good teacher who shared an apartment and was wrongly accused with evidence that belonged to someone else.

"We cannot wait to get to court to clear this young man's name. This is a complete misunderstanding. The police that were involved will be subject to cross examination in a suppression hearing," said Melnick's lawyer.