John H. Lymberis, Harry’s Hotdogs co-owner charged over child exploitation images amid community backlash after Parkesburg, Pennsylvania dad is banned from the school where his two young children attend at Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic Elementary School in West Brandywine Township. Arrest leads to social media outrage and calls for further action against Sadsburyville restauranteur.
The co-owner of a well‑known Sadsburyville restaurant in Pennsylvania has been charged on multiple counts of child p*rnography, leading to wide backlash from the community.
John H. Lymberis, 57, of Parkesburg, was arraigned May 20 on multiple felony counts of child p*rnography, dissemination of illicit child images and related offenses, a criminal docket filed in the office of Magisterial District Judge J. Timothy Arndt III shows. The case was brought by Chester County detectives, and the docket lists the offense dates as occurring in 2024.
Lymberis is charged with more than a dozen counts of sexual abuse of children involving the possession, distribution and creation of illicit child material as well as criminal use of a communication facility and unlawful dissemination of intimate images. Bail was set at $35,000 (since posted) with a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 8.
Harry’s Hotdogs co-owner banned from children’s school
Lymberis is identified in public business listings and social media pages as part of the family that owns Harry’s Hotdogs, a longtime bar and restaurant on Lincoln Highway in Sadsburyville.
News of the once revered restauranteur’s arrest led to wide rebuke in the community.
In a letter sent this week to families, the principal of Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic Elementary School in West Brandywine Township barred Lymberis from being on the school premises and from participating in any school activities.
Lymberis’ two children study in the Catholic school. The school’s principal, Patty Tarquinio, told other parents that John’s charges were ‘both serious and disturbing,’ according to Primetimer.
Besides running Harry’s Hotdog, John currently runs Athena’s Kafenio cafe with his brother-in-law, Fotios Petropoulos. According to his LinkedIn page, Lymberis previously operated the pan-Asian restaurant Zing Asian Cuisine before the outlet shutting in 2025.
Community outrage and wide backlash
Responding to news of the arrest, social media users expressed outrage, with some calling out local news for not sharing John Lymberis’ arrest and court records. They pointed out that if Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic Elementary School’s letter to parents was not circulated online, many people would not know about the allegations against the owner of Harry’s Hotdogs.
‘How is this not on the news? If it wasn’t for the school/church letter protecting the kids and community. No one would know about this. Why the protection for such disgusting behavior!’ one Facebook user wrote.
‘Time to boycott Harry’s hotdogs, athena’s and whatever else that pervert owns. Unreal,’ another user noted.
Wrote another, ‘That bail is a joke 35k. The courts have no regard for the welfare of children.’
‘Looks like he posted bail TODAY. BOYCOTT HARRYS!!!’ added another social media user.
Posted another, ‘This guy works close to me and my family if he isn’t in jail for life I will go down to his house or place of business and hang him or shoot him myself better not fail us justice system.’
