C-M gym teacher arrested in assault
A gym teacher at Canon-McMillan High School and former head wrestling coach for both Canon-McMillan and Chartiers-Houston school districts was arrested Tuesday by South Strabane Township police after he allegedly assaulted his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Friday night.
Timothy P. Mousetis, 60, of 190 Wilmont Ave., East Washington, is charged with one count each of aggravated assault and disorderly conduct and two counts each of simple assault, harassment and driving under the influence of alcohol. He is accused of assaulting John and Debra Abajace inside The Golf Club of Washington, 599 Country Club Road.
Township police were called about 9:14 p.m. for a report of a fight at the club. Police also were told that a red Nissan being driven by an intoxicated person involved in the fight was leaving the property. As Sgt. Michael Manfredi and Officer Tim Gray responded, they saw a vehicle matching the description turn onto Locust Avenue from Country Club. Gray stopped the vehicle and identified Mousetis as the driver. Gray said he detected an odor of alcohol on Mousetis and spotted blood on his clothing.
The alleged victims and witnesses told Manfredi that John Abajace, 67, and Debra Abajace, 63, both of North Strabane Township, were confronted by Mousetis. John Abajace, a former head wrestling coach at Trinity High School and a state high school wrestling champion in the 1960s, was reportedly struck in the head by Mousetis and also was hit in the head by a glass thrown by Mousetis. Mousetis also allegedly grabbed Debra Abajace by the hair and slammed her head into a door.
Both Abajaces were taken to Washington Hospital for treatment. The husband and wife applied for and were granted temporary protection-from-abuse orders against Mousetis by Judge Damon J. Faldowski on Monday.
In his petition for the PFA, John Abajace said he was at a table in the country club when Mousetis began verbally abusing Debra Abajace. Mousetis was forced to leave, only to return an hour later, when he reportedly poked Debra Abajace in the forehead with his index finger. Both Abajaces got up, and John Abajace and Mousetis argued, the petition said. John Abajace reportedly pushed Mousetis away to keep him at arm’s length. Mousetis allegedly threw a glass at his brother-in-law before grabbing him by the neck and punching him. Mousetis then allegedly head-butted his brother-in-law. John Abajace indicated in paperwork filed at Washington County Courthouse he suffered a broken nose and needed 11 stitches on his face.
Debra Abajace, in her application, said she and her husband were having dinner with friends when Mousetis came in from the bar. When Mousetis returned a second time, she said he grabbed her hair and banged her head against a door, causing a cut and swelling. She also indicated in the PFA paperwork Mousetis told her husband in April if he saw her at the golf club, he would not be able to hold himself back.
Michael Daniels, superintendent of the Canon-McMillan School District, said Wednesday that he is aware of the allegations and charges against Mousetis. Pending the investgation, Mousetis is on paid leave as a teacher in the district, Daniels said.
Mousetis was arraigned before District Judge Jay Weller and released on $50,000 unsecured bond. He is scheduled for a Jan. 31 hearing before Weller.