Standard Democrat
NEW MADRID, Mo. -- A New Madrid County Central High School band director is facing charges after being accused with inappropriately touching female students.
Ryan Blocker, 34, of Lilbourn, Mo., is charged with five counts of felony sexual contact with a student and sexual contact with a student by a teacher.
According to the probable cause statement, the incidents occurred between Aug. 1 and Sept. 10. It is alleged Blocker touched the genitals of six different students through their clothing while fitting them with their band uniforms.
Blocker, who was arrested Tuesday afternoon, was released after posting a $50,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. Oct. 1.
According to Dr. Sam Duncan, New Madrid County R-1 District superintendent, Blocker was put on administrative leave on Sept. 10, when the district received an administrative report on the matter. The report was then turned over to the New Madrid County Sheriff's Department, which conducted a separate investigation.
According to the probable cause statement, Duncan told officers that Blocker "has been counseled and reprimanded in the past for inappropriate touching of female students and inappropriate contact on social media with female students."
With the filing of charges on Tuesday, the District issued charges for Blocker's dismissal as a teacher, Duncan said.
"We delivered charges which we feel are serious enough to meet the standards of our policies for termination," Duncan said, explaining the District is following Missouri law on the dismissal of a tenured teacher.
In line with the District's policy and Missouri law, Duncan said there is a potential for a hearing before the school board, which would then vote on whether to terminate Blocker's employment.