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Band director guilty of sexual conduct with minors
Friday, April 11, 2008
TROY — A former Milton Union schools assistant band director was found guilty Friday, April 11, of two felony counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Anthony Spahr, 29, of Troy, was scheduled to go on trial starting Tuesday, April 15, in Miami County Common Pleas Court on two felony counts of sexual battery. He was accused of engaging in sexual conduct with two girls, ages 16 and 17, last year in West Milton.
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The sexual battery counts, third-degree felonies, were dismissed as part of a plea deal in which Spahr pleaded to the unlawful sexual conduct charges, fourth degree felonies.
As part of the deal, prosecutors agreed to stand silent at Spahr's sentencing June 6, though victims will have the opportunity to speak. Prosecutors also agreed to recommend any prison sentences run concurrent instead of consecutive. Spahr could receive 18 months in prison on each charge and, under the state's new sex offender registration law, be required to register with the sheriff in the county where he lives, works or goes to school for 25 years.
Judge Jeffrey Welbaum asked Spahr a series of questions before accepting the no contest pleas, and finding him guilty.
An investigation of Spahr began last fall when Milton-Union School officials received a call claiming he was involved with a minor.
Spahr remains free on a house arrest program.
His lawyer, Chris Buccio, had asked the judge to keep out of the trial any information dealing with Spahr's contract with the Milton-Union schools. He had employment agreements with Milton Union Schools, working with the band percussion section, for the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school years, but was not under an official contract at the time of the conduct with the minors.
Spahr resigned from a similar band job with the Troy High School band in 2002 following allegations of misconduct. He did not face any criminal charges after school officials notified Miami County Children's Services of complaints.
Troy Superintendent Tom Dunn said Spahr resigned when told of a school investigation of complaints that he supplied alcohol to a band member during a band trip to England. Separate allegations of possible sexual conduct with a student also were made, Dunn said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 335-4357 or nbowman@DaytonDailyNews.com.
