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Poland schools band volunteer pleads innocent to indecent exposure
POLAND
A local percussion instructor has pleaded not guilty to indecent exposure and unlawful restraint, and police say the investigation is continuing.
Kevin Downs, 47, of Poland, was arraigned Monday in Struthers Municipal Court, where he entered his plea to the two misdemeanor charges.
His bond was set at $1,000, and he posted the 10 percent required by court, according to online records. He also was ordered to have no contact with the family of the victim.
The incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m. Dec. 21 at Downs’ Chablis Lane home, according to police reports.
Poland Township police Chief Brian Goodin said the victim is a minor but declined to release more information Thursday.
“It is still under investigation even though those charges were filed. Other charges are being looked into,” Goodin said.
Downs is founder of the local band Redline and KAD School of Percussion, where he offers private percussion lessons. He currently is a volunteer at Poland Local Schools teaching percussion.
Interim Poland schools Superintendent Don Dailey said Downs is not a school employee, and any compensation he receives is paid by the band boosters.
All regular volunteers in the district, such as volunteer sports coaches, undergo FBI and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation criminal background checks, he said.
Dailey said a background check on Downs was completed, and he was cleared to be a volunteer, but until the current investigation and court case concludes, Downs will not be permitted on school property.
According to Downs’ biography page on the Redline website, he also has taught in other area schools, including Cardinal Mooney, Canfield and Struthers.