EATON — A former band director admitted to sex crimes involving a student.
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Former high school band director, Paul Bingle, appeared in front of a judge on Wednesday.
He pleaded guilty to sexual battery and unlawful sexual conduct with an Eaton High School student, sparing his victims from testifying at trial.
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In mid-July an Eaton Police detective met with a student and a school staff member to report possible inappropriate conduct between Bingle and other students.
The student told investigators about what they believed were inappropriate relationships Bingle had with at least two students, according to court documents.
The student gave detectives two pages of messages Bingle sent one student from the app Discord, which is typically used by gamers. The court documents described the messages as “of a sexual nature and highly inappropriate.”
The student then told investigators that Bingle turned his attention to another female student. They were frequently observed together, and he was seen buying her things.
Police eventually spoke with the second student, who was believed to be a victim. She told detectives that Bingle began messaging her and that it turned sexual.
Bingle was interviewed by police later that day and admitted to inappropriate social media messages with a student.
He was placed on administrative leave.
Bingle faces 13-17 years in prison.
The felony charges are expected to lead to his teaching license being revoked.
We will continue to follow this story.
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