Columbia, PENNSYLVANIA

April 8, 2008 - Robert Richards, 33, band director at Columbia Junior/Senior High School was arrested Monday at the school district administration office for allegedly having an ongoing sexual relationship with a 16-year-old female student during the past year.

Richards was charged by police in Columbia and police in West Hempfield Township with a total of two counts each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and corruption of minors, as well as one count each of statutory sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault.

The investigation began when police became aware of rumors at the school. Richards and the girl had one sexual encounter at the school and the rest in his home, where he lives with his wife and two school-aged children.

Richards was in his third year at Columbia. He is now out on $175,000 bail. The school district said he is on paid leave.
Full Name: Robert E. Richards

Richards is the third Lancaster County band director to be arrested recently on allegations of having sexual encounters with teenage girls, according to newspaper records. Warwick High School's former band director, Todd Sheerer, was arrested in January, and Michael Wolf of Landisville, who was the band director at Lebanon County's Cedar Crest High School was convicted of charges in December 2006. Wolf was sentenced to 3½ to 15 years in state prison for sexually assaulting two students, ages 16 and 17. TT Entry for Sheerer

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY (From LancasterOnline): A graduate of James Madison University with a bachelor's degree in music education, Richards previously served as director of bands for three years at Varina High School in Richmond, Va., according to the Columbia school Web site.He then moved to Lancaster County, working as a project coordinator for a private company for three years. At the same time, he was also writing and arranging marching band shows for schools in Virginia and Pennsylvania, according to the Web site.
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Greatschools.net rating for the school is 3 See test scores.
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PRELIMINARY WAIVED June 19 - Wednesday afternoon, Richards waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was ordered to stand trial by District Judge Robert Herman.