Muskogee, OKLAHOMA

"My handling of these students was open and notorious," Giacomo said, adding that a counselor told him one of the girls had a crush on him.

Sentenced to six years in prison and 29 years' probation.

May 14, 2007 - After a preliminary hearing for Brian Giacomo, 38, a Hilldale High School band director accused of having sexual relationships with a 15-year-old girl, the judge found sufficient evidence to move to trial.

ARRESTED Giacomo was arrested last November and resigned. In February, DNA samples were taken to compare to two chairs at the school. He is suspected of being involved with two students.
Full Name: Danny Brian Giacomo

RULING ON DNA Jan 31, 2008 - A judge refused to quash a search warrant resulting in collection of DNA evidence from a former Hilldale band director and his office chair.

Giacomo is charged in Custer County with five counts of second-degree rape and one count of forcible sodomy. Giacomo resigned his position at Hilldale on Nov. 24, 2006, the day before the first charges were filed involving a 15-year-old. Charges involving the 14-year-old were filed in January 2007. A trial date has not been set in that case.

GUILTY PLEA & SENTENCING Mar 3, 2008 - Aftter pleading guilty to 16 charges, including lewd molestation, rape and sodomy as part of a plea agreement, Giacomo was sentenced to six years in prison and 29 years of probation.

The charges involved girls ages 14 and 15 who were both band students. Giacomo admitted he used his power and influence as a band teacher to gain access to and seduce the girls. He said he manipulated them with grades and favoritism. Both girls cried after the sentence was read.

Giacomo told District Judge Thomas Alford that Hilldale Superintendent D.B. Merrill and former Assistant High School Principal Darren Riddle knew of his behavior toward 1 of the students. In an affidavit, he said Merrill and Riddle refused to allow a student who complained to Riddle about the situation to return to Hilldale as a transfer student.

March 5 - Editorial from The Muskogee Phoenix, "Sex abuse plea raises warranted concerns" about the actions of school administrators.

Hilldale certainly has questions to answer. Also, the district must reassure its patrons that this is an isolated event, too, because in recent years there have been similar allegations against a few teachers who resigned or moved on.

But at the same time, almost all teachers have moments alone with students every day, and the vast majority of teachers do not take advantage of students’ naivete and vulnerability.

TT - But, hey, don't file a Freedom of Information request for his file and don't file to gain access to his prepared courtroom affidavit. And don't elaborate on the similar allegations bit. Just waggle your finger. It makes you look oh so caring.