Former drum corps leader charged with sex assault

The longtime former leader of a champion Pennsylvania-based drum and bugle corps was charged Tuesday with sexually assaulting two women.

George Hopkins, 62, led The Cadets to a slew of national and world championships. He resigned from the Allentown-based group after The Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News reported in April that nine women had accused him of sexual harassment or abuse.

Hopkins was charged Tuesday with two counts of felony sexual assault. Lehigh County prosecutors alleged that Hopkins sexually assaulted an employee of Youth Education in the Arts, the nonprofit that oversees The Cadets, in 2008. A second woman alleges he assaulted her in 2010. Both alleged assaults took place at his Allentown home.

His attorney, Tom Bergstrom, said Hopkins “absolutely, unquestionably” denies the accusations.

The newspaper reports said Hopkins’ accusers ranged from 16 to 37 at the time of the abuse and harassment they say they endured, including three who were members of The Cadets and five who worked for YEA, the parent organization that Hopkins also led as chief executive officer. The alleged misconduct ranged from lewd comments and groping to rape.

Hopkins had worked for The Cadets since 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles.