What to Know
A homeowner in Pennsylvania made a disturbing discovery on home video surveillance in early August 2026. They contacted the Plumsted Valley Police Department about a man peering into their daughter’s bedroom. The family allegedly caught 48-year-old Winfield A. “Tripp” Becker, of the Hopewell Valley Regional School District in Mercer County, New Jersey, peeping through the window.
Becker was reportedly known to the family and was the impetus for installing cameras in the first place. The school district placed him on administrative leave as he faces charges of loitering and prowling at nighttime and harassment.
The family allegedly knew Becker.
Commissioner Ackerman with Hopewell Valley Central High School (Pennington, NJ) A.D. Tripp Becker and Sydney Rick, winner of the 2024 Ackerman Award, given annually to a HVCHS graduating student-athlete in recognition of athletic, academic and extracurricular pursuits. pic.twitter.com/D0P8AIME1q
— BIG EAST Conference (@BIGEAST) June 7, 2024
Plumstead Township Police Department reported officers responded to a call from a home on Split Log Drive in the Cabin Run development around 10:30 p.m. on August 6. The family alleged a man, later identified as Becker, was looking into their daughter’s bedroom.
It was unclear what the girl’s age was or if she was in the room at the time of the recorded incident. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Becker was known to the family, and they reportedly installed the cameras due to past incidents on their property.
Someone knocked on the child’s window multiple times.
An unidentified man knocked on the daughter’s window multiple times at night, according to court documents obtained by Phillyburbs.com. Police did not arrest Becker but charged him via a criminal summons, according to the Inquirer.
Amid intense public scrutiny, Becker’s attorney, Tom Logan, told Phillyburbs.com his client is innocent until proven guilty.
“All the publicity (surrounding the arrest) has been unfortunate for a law-abiding man and stalwart member of the community who has never done anything wrong before,” Logan said.
Becker’s employer shared a statement regarding the charges.
Per the Trentonian, Hopewell Valley Regional School District Superintendent Rosetta Treece shared a letter with parents as the news of Becker’s charges began to spread. She did not name him specifically, but shared the district’s plan of action.
“We learned today that a district employee has been charged with summary harassment and related charges in Pennsylvania,” the letter stated. “The allegations against this individual do not involve conduct within the district and are not related to any district students. In keeping with Board of Education policy, the employee will be on a leave of absence and will not be permitted on school property pending the outcome of the investigation. The employee is also entitled to a presumption of innocence pending final resolution of the charges.”
Treece added that while she understood how this kind of news could be unsettling for both students and parents, the district would do its best to share as much information as possible.
“We understand that parents might have concerns and questions, and we will provide updates as we can,” Treece said. “Please know that we are taking every step possible to plan for a successful school year.”
Becker is scheduled to appear in court on September 8 for a preliminary hearing. It’s unclear what he intends to plead.
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