San Jose, CALIFORNIA

Another band director in the news.


August 12, 2008 - James Barany, 37, band director for William C. Overfelt High School, was arrested for attempting to solicit lewd acts from a minor over the Internet. Barany initiated a chat room conversation with a detective he believed was a 13 year-old girl, police said.

During the course of the conversation, Barany agreed to meet with the girl at a location in Santa Cruz where he was arrested. He is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Barany's previous job was as band director at Evergreen Valley High School in San Jose.

Photo: Santa Cruz Police Department

RESIGNATION August 13 - Barany resigned after his arrest. According to police,

Barany contacted the girl within seconds of her logging into a chat room, police said. They chatted on-and-off for much of the day and during the conversation, Barany arranged to meet the girl at an undisclosed location in Santa Cruz on Tuesday, according to police.

Police said he never made it to his destination. He was arrested on Soquel Avenue near Morrissey Boulevard around 3 p.m. The girl was actually a Midwest housewife working with the group Perverted Justice.

IN COURT August 16 - Barany appeared in court Friday but did not enter a plea. He asked for for time to hire his own attorney. He returns to court Sept. 3 to enter a plea.

GUILTY PLEA October 31 - Barany pleaded guilty to one felony count of communicating with a person believed to be a minor for the purpose of arranging a sexual encounter.
He will be sentenced in December. He will have to REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER for the rest of his life.

Hammond, INDIANA

Band teacher is 41. She is in the eighth grade.

September 6, 2008 - James Ciammetti, 41, a band teacher at George Rogers Clark Middle School, was arrested for allegedly having sex with one of his 14-year-old students repeatedly at the school over a 10-month period.

He was charged Friday with five felonies -- two counts of child molesting, two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor and one count of child solicitation.

His alleged activities were discovered by the girl's father, who was using a computer program that tracks his children's activities on the family's computers.

Ciammetti and the girl had traded more than 1,100 e-mails, most of them sexual or obscene in nature, prosecutors said. He had been the girl's band teacher since sixth grade.

He was suspended WITHOUT pay because of the "seriousness of the situation."

The NeighborhoodStar (September 6) reports that Ciammetti "repeatedly had sex with a female student while she was 13 and 14 years old."

In an interview Sept. 3, the girl - an eighth-grader who has taken band classes with Ciammetti since sixth grade - said the two performed oral sex on one another and had sex in the band room and band storage room, according to an affidavit filed by Hammond police.

She said they had sex at least 10 times between April and the first day of this school year, with Ciammetti using a condom, police said.

Ciammetti "always told her that he loved her," the girl is quoted in court records as saying. He told the girl they would get married and have children together when they got older, according to court records.
Full Name: James Alan Ciammetti
---------------
You can see his picture here.

Narrows, VIRGINIA

Another band director arrested.


August 13, 2008 - John Maddy, 34, band director at Narrows High School, was arrested and charged with multiple felonies for having sex with a 16-year-old female student.

He was charged with 13 felonies and five misdemeanors. The charges include taking indecent liberties with a child while being in a custodial position and crimes against nature, both felonies, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a misdemeanor.

According to police, he admitted to the relationship and resigned the same day he talked to investigators. Maddy is the father of two children.
Full Name: John Stafford Maddy

From the news story: Maddy is the second band director at the high school to be arrested on similar charges in fewer than four years. A director charged in 2005 was found not guilty in a jury trial in April 2006.
----------------------
TT - They've got a long way to go to catch up with Helix High School in La Mesa, California, where two band directors and a geography teacher were convicted of having sex with students. A fourth resigned after he was arrested. All in separate instances and with different students. Entry
----------------------
RECOMMENDED READING: An award-winning series by Danny Robbins of the Houston Chronicle called "Out of Bounds" gives valuable insight into why there are so many instances of coaches having sex with students. The same can be said of band teachers. Link

Golden, COLORADO

Forty-three year-old father of three pleads guilty to sexual assault of 17-year-old student. Sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by 10 years to life of intensive supervision sex offender probation.

Oct 23, 2007 -
William Paxton, 42, a music instructor and color-guard coach at five Jefferson County schools has been arrested, on suspicion of sexual assault and sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust.

The student is 16-years-old.

Sheriff's investigators recently became aware of sexual-assault allegations and believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with more information is urged to contact the tip line at 303-271-5612.

Paxton was employed during the 1995-96 school year as the assistant band director at Arvada High School and in 2006-07 as the instrumental music instructor at Alameda High School.

Through the Rocky Mountain Colorado Guard Association, Paxton also advised, volunteered or consulted at D'Evelyn, Jefferson and Lakewood high schools on an intermittent basis.

Paxton has been termed ineligible for rehire with the district until further notice, said schools spokeswoman Lynn Setzer.

Full Name: William Samuel Paxton

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Press Release (Dated Oct 23, 2007) ( Uses "female students" - plural and states that Paxton served intermittently as both a volunteer and a contract employee.)

Nov 9 - Investigators believe Paxton may have engaged in similar allegations of sexual misconduct with students in the Castle Rock area.

Anyone with more information is urged to contact the Castle Rock Police Department tip line at 720-733-2241.

GUILTY PLEA May 30, 2008 - Paxton pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 17-year-old female student. Paxton was the student's coach in marching band. the student several text messages every day and gave her a cell phone so they could talk. Prosecutors say Paxton then invited the student to his apartment twice where he sexually assaulted her. Paxton is the father of three. He also must serve 10 years to life of intensive supervision as a sex offender.

He will be sentenced in July.

Jefferson County District Attorney's Office has no press release at this time.

SENTENCED July 31 - Paxton was sentenced to 12 years in prison and 10 years to life of intensive supervision sex offender probation.

ABC ch 7: While Paxton was not found to be a sexually violent predator by Colorado’s official designation, District Judge Stephen Munsinger told Paxton before sentencing him Thursday that he did find him to be a sexual predator.

Salem, VIRGINIA

The original plea agreement called for three years probation, but Botetourt the judge increased it to five. After consulting with Yates, the defense attorney asked the judge to keep the agreement unchanged, but the judge refused, angrily telling Yates, "I was a former teacher."




Dec 17, 2007 -
Christopher Yates, 30, band director of Glenvar High School, was arrested, charged with taking indecent liberties with a female student.

His bond is set at $12,000, pending at hearing at Jan 22.

Roanoke County police say they're investigating an allegation against Yates there as well. It could result in additional charges. The events are alleged to have occurred from July 1st to October 4th of this year.
Full Name: Christopher Matthew Yates
Nickname: Matt Yates

INDEFINITE LEAVE Dec 18 - According to the school administration, Yates has been put on "indefinite leave." Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle confirmed for News-7 the alleged victim in this case actually lived with Yates and his wife. Yates is due back in court on January 22.

PLEA AGREEMENT April 17, 2008 - WBDJ 7 is reporting that

The Commonwealth's Attorney has reached an agreement with the former teacher so that he will plead guilty to a felony in July.

The Troutville resident will be sentenced to three years, but will only serve six months under the agreement. Once Yates gets out, he will be on probation and have to register as a sex offender.

GUILTY PLEA & SENTENCING (sorta) July 25 - Yates pleated guilty to a felony count of taking indecent liberties with a minor. He was sentenced to three years in prison with all but six months suspended, and five years of supervised probation after his release. Yates will also have to register as a sex offender.

Summarizing the evidence against Yates, Assistant Botetourt Commonwealth's Attorney Hilary Griffith said the girl had been abandoned by her parents and was living with her sister in Salem, but her sister threw her out.

Yates and his wife took her into their home and obtained legal custody of her. At first, Yates and the girl had a relationship like that of a father and daughter, but the relationship turned sexual after she moved in with him.

The original plea agreement called for three years probation, but Botetourt Circuit Court Judge Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo increased it to five. After consulting with Yates, the defense attorney asked the judge to keep the agreement unchanged, but the judge refused, angrily telling Yates, "I was a former teacher.

After a brief break in the hearing, Yates agreed to the new terms.

Yates was briefly granted a furlough when his wife gave birth in July.

OurValley.org: (July 24) - Former Glenvar band director sentenced for having sex with student

“I want to publicly apologize. I’ve spoken to some of my close friends, and have gained their forgiveness, but I haven’t been able to speak to the Glenvar community…or to my band students. I’m very sorry,” Yates said to the group of friends, Glenvar Band Boosters and other supporters in the courtroom. His wife and newborn baby were among them.

Although the Virginia sentencing guidelines did not call for any jail sentence, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Hilary Griffith said she asked for jail time since Yates was acting as a substitute parent for the girl.

TT - We'll take flak for this, but...
There's seems to be a pathological moral deficiency in many band boosters. We aren't sure if this is because band directors become surrogate parents for their children and the adults are in full denial of the harm done by the band instructor. Or if they really are rah rah nitwits completely lacking in a moral compass and a lack of social responsibility.

But there's something unwholesome about such support long after it becomes apparent that the band director or band teacher is flagrantly guilty of sexual abuse of someone entrusted to his care.

We've frequently seen demonstrations of the same moral vacuity in supporters when the teacher is a drama instructor.

West Milton, OHIO

His attorney said his client understands one thing now. “He needs to hang out with people his own age.” Ya think?

Nov 28, 2007 - Anthony Spahr, 28, assistant director of the Milton-Union High School band, was arrested. He was indicted on one count of sexual battery. He is accused of having a sexual relationship with a minor.

He was not a teacher in the district. Spahr passed a district background check before his hiring in a supplemental contract.

School officials recieved a call in October that said Spahr was involved with a minor. At their request, he resigned.

The investigation continues with additional charges possible. Video report suggests there is a second victim.

SECOND INDICTMENT Dec 7 - Spahr was indicted this week on a second sexual battery count alleging illegal sexual activity this summer with a 17-year-old girl, also in West Milton.

Before going to Milton-Union, Spahr worked with bands at Troy High School and Newton High School. Troy school officials said Spahr resigned from a similar job with the Troy band in 2002 following allegations of misconduct.

Troy Schools Superintendent Tom Dunn said Spahr resigned when told of an investigation into allegations he supplied alcohol to a band member during a band trip to England.

Separate allegations of sexual misconduct with a student also were made, according to a letter from a Troy school administrator to the county Educational Services Center. Spahr worked at Troy High School as an individual student aide through the services center.

He is scheduled for arraignment on the second charge Dec. 13.

ARRAIGNMENT Dec 13 - Spahr was arraigned. He pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual battery for alleged sexual conduct this summer with a 17-year-old girl in West Milton while employed as an assistant band director at Milton-Union schools.

Spahr already was being held on $20,000 bail set at his arraignment in November on another count of sexual battery. That charge alleges sexual activity with a 16-year-old girl at his apartment in West Milton. Sheriff's deputies and prosecutors said this week they continue to investigate Spahr and more charges are possible.

PLEA WITHDRAWN April 30 - Spahr has withdrawn his no contest pleas entered April 11 to two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Trial is set for June 4.

COMMENTS DIABLED May 10 for excess of unproductive rants. If you want to post something, send an e-mail.

SENTENCED July 19 Spahr was found guilty on the attempted gross sexual imposition charges in a plea agreement. Spahr was sentenced Friday to two years in prison (the maximum allowable term) and will be labeled a sex offender for the next 15 years.

The mother’s statement was read shortly after Spahr read a prepared statement of his own that expressed his remorse for what he had done to those “two young ladies.”

But sentencing Judge Jeffrey Welbaum questioned that remorse after he received a letter Thursday from one of the victims who said she and Spahr never had a sexual relationship, and Spahr’s attorney, Chris Bucio, added at the hearing his client states the same.

“As far as remorse, not only is there no remorse, but there is collusion between him and her,” Welbaum said from the bench.

A presentence investigation issued to the court contained other allegations, including that Spahr was involved in other inappropriate behavior while employed in a similar capacity at Troy High School.

July 18 - Former Milton-Union assistant band director gets 2 years in prison

Mount Hope, WEST VIRGINIA

"My daughter did nothing wrong here." Creepy teacher, however, gets suspended sentence, home incarceration and -- FINALLY, a substantive punishment - registration as a sex offender for 10 years.

Oct 31, 2007 - Daryl Finley, 29, a Mount Hope High School Band Director, was arrested for sexual abuse by a parent or guardian. Details are sketchy at the story but the abuse apparently happened on a bus coming back from a football game.
---------------------
TT - The school rates a 1 at Greatschools.net on a scale of 1 - 10 ( 1 being lowest).
There is only one Parent Rating and that was by a student.

I am not a parent but I am a student at Mount Hope High school and I feel the school does a good job. We do have extracurricular activities and academic programs,some children just don't get involved in them.
Submitted by a student

----------------------
A Nov 15 hearing is scheduled. The student is 17.

GUILTY PLEA May 23 - Finley pleaded guilty to lesser charge of misdemeanor battery after striking a deal with prosecutors. Police alleged that he fondled the 17-year-old female student through her clothing during a Fayette County school-sponsored bus trip.

“The state will not recommend a specific sentence in this matter, and the defendant acknowledges that the state will be asking the court to find this crime to be sexually motivated,” Mann said in a May 19 letter to Finley’s lawyer, Michael Whitt.

SENTENCED July 21 - Finley was sentenced to to the maximum penalty of 12 months in jail, but lowercase judge Chief Circuit judge James J. Rowe, immediately suspended all but four months of the sentence. Rowe ruled that Finley will be allowed to carry out his sentence on a home incarceration program in Harrison County.

Rowe also sentenced Finley to five days in Southern Regional Jail and placed him on three years’ probation to begin after the completion of his home incarceration sentence. Finley must also register as a sex offender for ten years.

The victim’s father was also allowed to speak at the sentencing.“I hate to ruin this man’s life, but this can’t be overlooked,” he said. “I think it’s a pretty sad when the people we trust (to keep children safe) can’t keep their hands to themselves. My daughter did nothing wrong here.”

Barco, NORTH CAROLINA

A year in prison will be a good education. Wait. Do they have a band there? Maybe it won't be a fun education after all.

July 22, 2008 - Allen Coyle, 32, band director at Currituck County High School, pleaded guilty to six counts of taking indecent liberties with a student for having sex with a student. The girl was 17 at the time so he avoided the charge of taking indecent liberties with a minor and will not have to register as a sex offender.

A judged sentenced Coyle on Monday to at least one year in prison.
Full Name: Allan Matthew Coyle

NEWS STORY July 25, 2008 - More than half of the public schools in Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Pasquotank and Perquimans counties failed to make adequate yearly progress under No Child Left Behind testing, according to preliminary results released this week.

GREATSCHOOLS.NET rates Currituck County High School a 5. The District rates 7.

Gilbert, ARIZONA

We had to start a new category for band teachers a while back.

Jan 10, 2007 - Jeremy Calvert, 20, assistant band teacher at Higley High School, was arrested on charges he molested a female student. A preliminary is scheduled for Jan 19. A Gilbert police spokesman said, "This is not a teacher-student romance." Police believe there may be other victims.

TT - An odd note from KOLD news. "Calvert was an employee of the Higley Unified School District from August 2005 until December. After departing, he asked to return as a volunteer."

NEVER FINGERPRINTED Jan 11 - ABC15 reports: A spokeswoman for the Gilbert Unified School District says Calvert was never fingerprinted for a background check. (TT - turns out that 53 employees who should have been fingerprinted, weren't. Entry)

FINGERPRINT POLICY Jan 11 - The Arizona Republic reports: A district policy allows staff to work without fingerprints on file as long as they are supervised when with students. The school has launched an audit of all Higley High staff fingerprint cards. (TT-but he previously worked for the school.)

The school will begin student workshops this week to remind students of their rights and expectations for teacher and staff conduct. An emergency staff meeting was called to remind teachers of proper conduct.

SECOND INCIDENT Disturbingly, the newspaper recalls, that this is the second incident in four years involving sexual contact between a staffer and a student at Higley High. In June 2003, Higley High choir teacher Benjamin LeMere, 27, was sentenced to jail for three months, put on lifetime probation and required to register as a sex offender. LeMere had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old student and a DNA test revealed that he was the father of the girl's child.

Police are investigating information that Calvert may have assaulted other students

STUDENT COMPLAINT Jan 11 - A sidebar here includes comments from girl who knew a band student who complained to the vice-principal about e-mails and text messaging and was told because she didn't have proof they wouldn't do anything. "I think now that this has happened they have no choice, but I think it could have been prevented if they'd looked into it earlier."
Full name: Jeremy Ross Calvert

Feb 14 - A student alleges that the band director ignored warnings last year about a band assistant accused of sexually assaulting a girl on campus. The girl who accused him of rape said there was “no consequence” for the text messages because the band director believed his assistant over the students.

The band director later told his principal that he was never told about the text messages, the police report shows. However, Calvert told police that band director was notified of the text messages. But Calvert said the messages were simply an effort to make friends with the students.

TRIAL SCHEULED Apr 10 - Calvert's trial is set for June 4 in the Superior Court of Arizona.

Dec 16 - Calvert's trial is scheduled to begin Jan 14, 2008. (Source: Database from the East Valley Tribune)

GUILTY PLEA June 25, 2008 - Calvert reached a plea agreement a month ago to plead guilty to two counts of sexual conduct with a minor, dropping seven counts of the same charge. He will be sentenced June 26.

The case was initially treated as a rape; however, court records show further investigation revealed the sex was likely consensual. A grand jury then charged Calvert with nine counts of sexual conduct with a minor. The case fueled a political battle that has divided the school board and Higley Unified School District administration to this day.

SENTENCED June 27 - Calvert was sentenced to two years in prison on Friday. Calvert also will be placed on lifetime probation and have to register as a sex offender.

The judge admonished Calvert. After Calvert finished his statement, the judge said: "Throughout the proceedings, you have tended to minimize your involvement in this" and issued the tough sentence.

Judge David Udall noted that Calvert had misused his position as a trusted teacher's aide and the incident occurred on school grounds - violating the professional trust and responsibilities of such a position.

Two district employees resigned in light of the incident. [No explanation.]

Huntington Beach, CALIFORNIA

Sentenced to 180 days in jail - not prison - and five years probation. Girl was 14 years old. That sentence seems a little forgiving.

May 14, 2007 -
Kristopher Maw, 24, who works with the Ocean View band and at Huntington Beach High School, was arrested on suspicion of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student.

Police began the investigation after a 14-year-old student at Ocean View said she had sex with Maw several times within the last month.
Full Name: Kristopher Charles Maw
Aka: Charles Maw

Maw is the second school employee in just two weeks to be arrested on suspicion of having sex with a student.

Former Talbert Middle School teacher Daniel Duane Axtell pleaded not guilty last week to having a sexual affair with one of his students after befriending the 14-year-old girl and her parents.
TT - entry for Axtell.

GUILTY PLEA & SENTENCING June 14, 2008 - Maw pleaded guilty to one felony count each of oral copulation and sexual penetration by a foreign object, both with a person under the age of 16 years old. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail - not prison - and five years of probation

Marshall, MINNESOTA

Another band teacher in the news.

June 4, 2008 - Lori Schulz, 33, a Marshall Middle School and Junior High band teacher, was charged with criminal sexual conduct in the second degree and fourth degree.

The complaint alleges that Schulz had sexual contact with the student, a 14-year-old girl, from January to May 2003, while Schulz was the junior high band teacher, the complaint alleges. The student was in band.
Full Name: Lori Ann Schulz
----------
TT - The reason why so many band teachers have inappropriate relationships with students may be the same reason why coaches do. The best explanation was in a 2001 series in the Houston Chronicle by Danny Robbins, "Out of Bounds."

The number of coaches involved in sexual misconduct with students is generally attributed to two factors. One is the amount of unstructured time coaches and students spend together. The other is the power and stature of coaches, particularly those affiliated with successful programs.

---------
June 5 - When Marshall Police interviewed Schulz she said she was no longer teaching but working in an administrative job in a factory, the complaint said.

“First of all it’s disappointing something of this nature may have occurred,” Marshall Superintendent Klint Willert said. “It would be disappointing from anybody’s perspective.”

Willert said the allegations are especially disappointing because of Schulz’s abilities and musical work at the school.“

She was highly revered by many for her musical abilities and for what she did for the district. She had very high performing bands and musical groups,” Willert said of Schulz.

OMNIBUS HEARING July 16 - Judge George Harrelson ruled Tuesday there was probable cause for the charges against former Marshall School band teacher Lori A. Schulz.

Lyon County Assistant Attorney Tricia Zimmer filed a request for an aggravated sentence which would be an upward departure on a sentence if Schulz is convicted. Zimmer said in her request in the case where a victim is "vulnerable to age, infirmity, or reduced physical or mental capacity which was known or should have been known to the offender," an aggravated sentence is justified.

Zimmer also said Schulz "engaged in 'grooming' behavior over a period of time and used pressure, duress and threats of suicide." Schulz also "committed multiple acts" over an extended period of time, Zimmer said in her request.

Schulz's lawyer Joel Solie requested a plea hearing. Harrelson said a hearing would likely take place within three or four weeks.

Palm Harbor, FLORIDA

So far in 2008, this is the fourth case of an inappropriate relationship between a student and an adult at their school to be reported in the Bay area.

April 8, 2008 - Ryan Wilborn, 22, a volunteer assistant band coach for Palm Harbor University High School was arrested Monday on charges that he had sex with one band member on several occasions and inappropriately touched another band member. Both girls were 15 at the time. Police arrested Wilborn after one of the girls’ parents went to police.

Wilborn discussed the sex in a phone call that was being monitored by sheriff's investigators, the affidavit states.

Full Name: Ryan Christopher Wilborn

Police suspect there may be more victims. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Brad Carrozza of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office's Crimes Against Children Unit at (727) 582-6200

ARRESTED (Again) August 19 - Wilborn was arrested on a charge of Certain Use of Computer Services Prohibited after they say he tried to meet someone he thought was an underage teen. Detectives received a tip in July that Wilborn was communicating with minors on the Internet, the sheriff's office said. An undercover detective assumed the persona of a 16-year-old girl online and began chatting with Wilborn, who engaged in a sexually explicit conversation.

A meeting with the "teen" was arranged and Wilborn went to a location in north Pinellas County with the purpose of engaging in a sexual act, detectives said.

Benton, KENTUCKY

Plea deal calls for registration as sex offender for 20 years.

ARREST reported Oct 16, 2007 -Michael Colvett, 37, a band director at Marshall County High School, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor unlawful transaction with a minor.
The parents of a 16-year-old told school officials they suspected an inappropriate relationship with their daughter. Colvett remains employed by the school.
Full Name: Michael F. Colvett

KFVS Ch 12:

According to a criminal complaint, the parents of the 16-year-old girl first found out about an inappropriate relationship between their daughter and Colvett back in February. After that, the girl's parents and school officials warned Mr. Colvett to only have contact with her for school matters. Police say he broke that warning.

According to the criminal complaint, the girl's father found recent personal text messges, emails and records of late night phone calls between the band director and his daughter. The teen later claimed she had a sexual encounter with Colvett.

According to KFVS,

Colvett is getting support from students and alumni. According to a former student, she and several current students planned to try and raise the money for Colvett's bail, if he couldn't make it. But Colvett did post $2500 bail and was released.

Some of his former students have started a Web site in support of the band teacher. Dozens have signed up on a Facebook page called "Supports the Colvett's."

NOT GUILTY PLEA Nov 9 - Colvett pleaded not guilty. Sex between a teacher and a student at least 16 years old is not a crime in Kentucky, but it is illegal to encourage a girl to disobey her parents. The unlawful transaction charge stems from what investigators believe was a sexual relationship between Colvett and the girl.

INDICTED Dec 18 - A grand jury indicted Colvett on charges of rape, tampering with physical evidence, sexual abuse and unlawful transaction with a minor. He's in jail on $25,000 dollars cash bond. A state lawmaker wants to make it illegal for a teacher or anyone else in a position of trust to have consensual sex with someone under 18.

NOT GUILTY PLEA Jan 8, 2008 - Colvett pleaded not guilty. Another court date has been set for April 1.

PLEA DEAL April 2 - Colvett reached a plea deal that allows him to enter an Alford Plea (no contest). He pleaded to a felony count of tampering with evidence and two misdemeanor counts of second-degree sexual abuse. Prosecutors dropped rape and unlawful transaction charges as part of the agreement. Colvett also has to give up his teaching license and to register as a sex offender for 20 years. No sentencing date given.

Pocatello, IDAHO

SENTENCED to five to fifteen years in prison.

Nov 21, 2007 -
Michael Dann, 31, an assiatant band director at Highland High School, was arrested for lewd conduct with a minor.

Police have been investigating Dann for allegedly molesting a 14-year-old on several occasions at the school. But police say there could be additional victims in the case, and urge anyone to come forward with more information.

Police are asking for anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective Nielsen at 234-6121.
Full Name: Michael Kee Dann

NOT GUILTY PLEA Dec 10 - In court on Monday, Dann pleaded not guilty. He will be back in court in February for a trial
---------------------------------------
GUILTY PLEA & SENTENCING March 17 - Dann pleaded guilty to one felony count of lewd and lascivious conduct in February. He was sentenced today to 15 years in prison, five years fixed and ten indeterminate.
---------------------------------------
KVPI (Mar 17) - Judge Peter McDermott gave Dann the state's recommended sentence. Dann apologized to the court, however,

While McDermott said he appreciated Dann's willingness to take responsibility, he sentenced him to five years fixed and ten indeterminate and said he needed to impose a strict punishment to deter others from sexually abusing children.

Judge Peter McDermott: "Parents send their kids to be taught and educated - not sexually abused. They put their trust in the teachers the school district hires to protect their kids and not to touch them inappropriately, sexually."

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.

Lititz, PENNSYLVANIA

Caught in the Blazer at the rear of Friendly's Ice Cream Shop.
Arrested again in March for contacting the girl. Bond revoked.

Jan 25, 2008 - Todd Sheerer, 29, a music teacher and band director at Warwick High School, was arrested and charged with corruption of minors for allegedly engaging in a yearlong sexual relationship with one of his students. The sex acts with the girl began January 2007. The girl is now 17-years-old.

An anonymous caller notified police shortly before 4 p.m. that two people were "engaged in sexual acts" in a sport-utility vehicle in the parking lot of a restaurant. When a police officer knocked on the window of the SUV, Sheerer got out of the back seat with his pants unzipped. He told the officer that he was a Warwick teacher and that the female in the back seat with him was 19. That was on Friday.

When police interviewed the girl on Monday, they learned that several similar sex acts had occurred in parking lots of businesses, including a sports bar, a quarry, a hotel and an auto repair shop. The two met four or five times a week. She was 17. Police say three other communities are expected to file similar charges against Sheerer in connection with the alleged sexual relationship.
Full Name: Todd Nicholas Sheerer

LEGAL NOTE: Pennsylvania law states that anyone 18 and older engaging in any sexual act with someone younger than 18 can be charged with corruption of minors. [A first degree misdemeanor.] Had the girl been younger than 16 when this started, it could have been considered statutory rape.. - From WHP CBS 21

Sheerer is the second Warwick staff member in recent years to be charged in connection with alleged sexual contact with a Warwick student. A former girls' coach Troy R. May was sentenced in 2005 to 8½ to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from his relationship with a 15-year-old basketball player in 2003. - From Intelligencer Journal

Jan 17 - Warwick hosts district band festival for first time in 21 years

Jan 29 - Three more municipal police departments have filed charges against Sheerer. Police in Manheim, ititz boroughs and Penn Township Monday have charged Sheerer with corruption of minors for allegedly engaging in sex acts with the 17-year-old girl who was a member of the band.

Warwick School District superintendent John George declined to comment on Sheerer's employment status or even if the district has begun an internal investigation.

"All personnel have the right to due process. The Warwick School District is compelled to honor those rights," George said in a prepared statement. "Therefore, no additional comments will be made until the appropriate time."

TT - There is absolutely no legal restriction on releasing information about the teacher's employment status or disclosing whether or not the district is investigating.

There is, however, a very good reason why people in the community should ask how a teacher and a student could carry on a sexual relationship for a whole year and no other educator seems to have reported their suspicions to police. The first police knew about it was an anonymous phone call.

Someone ought to ask if any educator at the school reported their suspicions to the administration.

ARRAIGNMENT Jan 31 - Sheerer arrived approximately 45 minutes early, walking hand-in-hand with his wife and wearing dark sunglasses. Durng questioning, Sheerer's wife offered her husband an occasional pat on the back as a show of support.

During Monday's arraignment, Sheerer confirmed for the judge that he was married with one child, that he has been suspended from his teaching position at Warwick High School, and that he has no prior convictions.

The key components as to why the five police departments have gone with corruption of minors charges at this stage in the investigation, according to one investigator, has to do with consent, with the age of the student at the time of each reported incident, and the fact that there is no evidence that "sexual intercourse" took place.I

In this case, police have said that an "inappropriate relationship" began when the student was 15 (January of 2006); however, nothing reportedly occurred that has warranted anything other than corruption of minors charges.

According to one officer involved in the investigation, Pennsylvania currently has no law on the books that deals specifically with sexual incidents between teachers (or adults in positions of trust) and students who are minors.

Feb 7 - A hearing has been moved to Wednesday, March 19. The school superintendent fielded questions and answers about the case.

ARRESTED AGAIN Mar 1 - Sheerer was arrested again after he bought a new cell phone, which he used to contact the girl. Sheerer was out on bail and had been told not to have contact with the girl. His bail was revoked.

BOND POSTED (AGAIN) Mar 5 - Sheerer posted $250,000 cash bail Tuesday. He was expected to return to Garrett's office to waive his preliminary hearing on corruption of minors charges in his case. That would mean his case now will go to court.

District superintendent John George that alerted police about the contact, after learning the two were communicating. Police officers then watched the young woman for three days. They also obtained telephone records, which showed Sheerer's incoming and outgoing calls.Schofield praised the superintendent for his actions.

FIRED April 3 - The school board voted unamously to fire Todd Sheerer. The board also approved an administrative recommendation to pay the victim and her family $75,000 to cover counseling costs. A statement read by the district superintendent ended with:

"We remain repulsed by the actions of Mr. Sheerer, and we deeply regret the harm that he has caused. Because of Mr. Sheerer's actions, we apologize to the victim and to her family."

PREVIOUSLY INVESTIGATED April 10 - Sheerer was previously investigated by the school district after two students reported in January 2006 an inappropriate relationship between Sheerer and a 15-year-old girl. The district administration took "appropriate action," according to former Superintendent Dr. Stephen Iovino.

That "appropriate action" included a review of policies and procedures with Sheerer shortly after the 2006 incident, according to current Superintendent Dr. John George, who added that "Mr. Sheerer and the female student both emphatically denied any improper relationship."

The two witnesses were credible.

Dr. George recently confirmed that the two original witnesses have a connection
with two school board members."Relatives of two board members were eyewitnesses to an inappropriate relationship between Mr. Sheerer and the victim," Dr. George
said, adding the witnesses (high school students at the time) reported the
incident to "school officials" in January of 2006, two years prior to Sheerer's
arrest.

The investigation, however, was inconclusive. The investigation was ultimately completed and deemed inconclusive," George said. "The school district administration at that time issued a stern written warning to Mr. Sheerer, stating that any improper relationship with any student would result in his termination."

May 23 - Sheerer was arrested again for being in contact with the girl.

OOI = Our Own Investigation, a category that includes districts that investigate but never seem to find any conclusive evidence of wrongdoing, despite their lack of trained investigators and knowledge of rules of evidence. What's worse, such districts never contact police who do have trained investigators who have knowledge of the law, rules of evidence, and have the authority to conduct a real investigation.

Iola, TEXAS

Jan 24, 2007 - William Watson, 27, currently a band teacher at Garrison High School, surrendered himself to Brazos County authorities Jan 16 upon accusation of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old former student.

Watson was band director at Iola High School where he met the student.
Watson is now free on $25,000 bail. He is on paid administrative leave from Garrison High.

Mar 1 - Watson was indicted by a Brazos County grand jury on two charges for his inappropriate relationship with a former student. The two counts of sexual assault of a child are both second-degree felonies.
[TT - Thanks to a poster for an update.]

CONVICTED Jan 11, 2008 - Watson was convicted Thursday of two counts of sexual assault of a child and will be sentenced to probation. A judge will decide the terms of Watson's probation in 30 days. [Despite what the news story says, she was 15.]

TT - Jan 16 - Location correction. Thank you.

St. Paul, MINNESOTA

Three months in the Workhouse - not prison - for sex with a student and disobeying a no contact order. If he hadn't contacted the victim in defiance of the court, he would have gotten probation.

ARRESTED May 30, 2007 -
Joseph Tucker, 28, a Como Park High School music teacher, was arrested, suspected of criminal sexual conduct with a female student and suspicion of tampering with a witness. He has not been charged.

"It was not immediately clear if the student was in the teacher’s class, but a teacher being in a position of authority would make the relationship a crime." The newspaper describes it as "an affair."
Full Name: Joseph Arne Tucker

Pioneer Press reports that Tucker is married and has young children. Police found a letter from Tucker in the girl's purse "in which he describes performing very specific sex acts on her." Tucker said they went to his house and had oral sex two to three times a month. Other students notified the assistant principal.

GUILTY PLEA: August 3 - Tucker pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. He will be sentenced in September, but it is expected to be a 90-day jail term. (The student was age 17.)

ARRESTED (Again): August 13 - Police arrested Tucker after the gir's father called police to tell them Tucker was at his home, despite being ordered no contact by the Judge. His plea agreement might be in jeopardy and county attorney's office plans to ask the court to keep Tucker locked up until his sentencing in September.

Pioneer Press reports that school district officials reported his activities to the Minnesota Department of Education's Educator Licensing Division. His license is no longer valid, according to the department's Web site.

Star-Tribune -

According to St. Paul police, the girl's father, investigating noise coming from the upstairs of the family's home, found Tucker and the girl, fully clothed, in her bedroom Sunday night.

Tucker had scaled a ladder up to the bedroom window, according to an affidavit filed today in Ramsey County District Court.

NEW BAIL: August 15 - A judge set bail at $10,000 today for the schoolteacher who didn't stay away from a teenage student he admitted sexually molesting. Tucker climbed a ladder to enter the girl's bedroom.

SENTENCED Oct 26 - Tucker was sentenced to 18 months in prison, but the judge stayed the sentence, ordering him to serve 3 months in the "Workhouse." [We think that's a kind of jail.] Tucker will have to register as a sex offender.

[Ramsey County District Judge M. Michael] Monahan told Tucker: "Your actions not only had an impact on the complaining witness in this case but had a broader impact on your other students and on the school itself.

"There's nothing like having a teacher appear on the front page of the newspaper to undermine the public's general confidence in the members of your former profession and the system they work.

Tucker choked back sobs and apologized. His attorney said Tucker had lost his teaching license and will never teach again.

Tucker was married with two children, ages 1 and 3.

DON'T MISS this story on the sentencing from the Pioneer Press.

Alvin, TEXAS

INDICTED Mar 10, 2007 -
Jeremy Grange, 29, an Alvin High School band director, was indicted for allegations he had sexual contact with a 17-year-old female student.

The charges were a result of a Jan 28 tip from a relative of a student’s friend that Grange and the student had been involved in a sexual relationship. He has since resigned.

Updated Apr 28 - Pre-trial scheduled for Apr 26. Trial scheduled for Jul 2.
---------------
Court Record link

UPDATE: August 30, 2007 - At Texas Educator Certificate search lookup there is a message "Note: This individual is currently under review by the SBEC Professional Discipline Unit.

Lookup LINK

GUILTY PLEA & SENTENCING Oct 7 - Grange pleaded guilty to having an improper relationship with one of his former students and was sentenced to 90 days in jail - not prison - and eight years probation.

He resigned after being indicted. Under the terms of the plea deal, Grange also will serve perform 240 hours of community service and must not have any contact with the former student. He will not have to register as a sex offender

Alton, ILLINOIS

Apr 20, 2007 - David Drillinger, 54*, the Alton High School band director, was indicted on two misdemeanor battery counts for inappropriate physical contact with female students during the past two years.

His assistant, Matthew Banks, 30, faces one such charge. [CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST BANKS - OCT 3.]

Drillinger was suspended with pay March 28, pending an investigation. Banks' employment status was unclear Friday.

GRAND JURY Apr 21 - The three alleged victims testified in front of the grand jury, which met three times to hear the case. Investigators say they are checking to see whether there are other victims

Update: * Age corrected. Thanks to a reader.

Update Apr 27 - The Board stripped Drillinger of all supervisory roles in the district while he awaits prosecution on misdemeanor battery charges.

INDICTED May 18 - Drillinger was indicted on misdemeanor misdemeanor battery charges. Banks, his assistant, was indicted on a misdemeanor battery charge.

The criminal hearing has been scheduled for June 14.

Update June 28 - Drillinger was fired. Banks is on paid leave. St. Louis Post-Dispatch website reported Drillinger's salary for 2006 was $79,604.

GUILTY PLEA and SENTENCING Oct 3 - After pleading guilty to a misdemeanor battery count, Dillinger was sentenced to a year of court supervision.

Prosecutors on Tuesday dropped a similar charge against Drillinger's one-time assistant, Matthew Banks - indicted with Drillinger in April. Banks was reinstated July 10.