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Ex-band director admits to school sleepovers

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Posted: 6:39 PM May 5, 2008
Last Updated: 7:13 PM May 5, 2008
Reporter: Samantha Andre
Email Address: samantha.andre@wrdw.com

17 comments

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News 12 at 6 o'clock, May 5, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga.---A mother is accusing a former band director of having sex with her teenage daughter. Now neighbors tell News 12 the teacher held band practice at his home, and he admits to sleepovers at school.

Former band director Anthony Shelton is being investigated for allegedly having sex with a 16-year-old student.

It's something mother Dale Redfern hates to hear. Her son goes to Butler High School, where the teacher formerly taught.

"More and more of it is happening nowadays and the world is just changing," Redfern says.

The sixteen-year-old's mother says it happened in the band room, and that Shelton had sex with her daughter up to eight times a week.

This allegation of inappropriate behavior is not the first.

During the board's investigation Shelton admitted he let students have sleepovers at school when he was responsible for them. All that led to his resignation in February.

"I just feel like there is that line and it needs to stop," Redfern said.

Shelton's neighbors tell News 12 he held band practice at his home as early as last summer when he started the job.

Principal Dr. Walter Reeves says he wasn't aware of any of these practices and they are against school policy.

"It's upsetting and I don't know how relationships like this could happen," Redfern said.

Shelton's case isn't the first in our area. In February South Carolina teacher Allenna Ward pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct with five teenage boys.

Last November Barnwell teacher Steven Walling faced child sex charges involving fourth and fifth grade girls.

Dale says it's harder for teachers today, because kids are more mature.

"I think the teacher needs to draw the line. I think the teacher needs to say, 'hey this is going too far. You're my student,'" she said.

News 12 tried to contact Anthony Shelton; he refused to comment.

He has not been charged in the case.

The Richmond County Sheriff's Office is now investigating these allegations by this mother. Investigators cannot charge him until they speak with the alleged victim. She now lives in Atlanta, but they hope to speak to her this week.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: anon on May 10, 2008 at 04:44 PM
Are there background checks done on school employees? If not, the school system ought to consider doing them.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Augusta on May 9, 2008 at 05:15 PM
Its not just that you seen the progress on the outside but certain things you just don't know lets say he got away with alot......

Posted by: Glenn Location: Augusta on May 8, 2008 at 05:47 PM
You are not talking to someone who was not there, but someone who is there. I have seen how thing s were and how things are. The difference is how kids view things. It is sad what has happened, but realize that "drumline" was a movie. I saw what Mr. Shelton was trying to teach and the way he was trying to teach it. I also stated that "if" these things are true, then it s a very sad day. There are a lot of things you do not know either. Let the investigators do their work and find the truth. And if Richardson did leave BHS for the money, he was a smarter man than I. As an African American, I am saddened for what this situation is doing to BHS. However, I saw a lot of positive things when Richardson was here, and I can tell you that he cared for you all a lot more than you are giving him credit for. But is is always easier to blame the old guy than to look at the present situation. I hope for our school's sake, this gets over fast.

Posted by: Prince Charming Location: Butler High School Marching Band Trumpet Section Leader on May 8, 2008 at 02:09 PM
All I have to say is before you can cast judgement on somebody think about what they did to jesus. But besides that how are you gone cast judgement on someone you personally don't know. My opinion He would never do anything to hurt any student the greatest thing he has ever told me is " Never let any little task stand in your way of being great" And i thank him so much for that and now that he is not able to be with me on a daily basis it hurts really bad to know that as great of a musican teacher father friend he probably will loose his freedom but Like I said I just want to say thank you for your support and encouragement through the rough times and I have your back always 1 Love

Posted by: BHS Truth Location: Augusta on May 7, 2008 at 09:03 PM
Richardson did the same things except teach. The same people who were with Shelton were with Richardson. Because he felt that this was our band and he didn't want us to change but he wanted to teach. You really don't know Richardson and not to start anything I will stop there with him.

Posted by: BHS Truth Location: Augusta on May 7, 2008 at 08:59 PM
And if you aren't part of a marching band then you really don't know. Your not suppose to let anyone go through your section and your suppose to protect each other. That is rude. Thats like interrupting someone while they are doing something important. People just don't how much this band means to us and our band director. We aren't trying to bash richardson but that is the truth. Shelton taught us how a band is suppose to sound. We even got the chance to perform for a famous trombonist. You all still don't get it. Haven't you heard the little boy who cried wolf. How do you think we feel. We were betrayed by someone we called a friend even family. You all still don't get it? You will believe a lie before the truth. We are all hurting because of this. The band will not be the same without him. But if you were not in the band or were not in the school from 2005 until now stop. Ok tell me this. When Shelton came he couldn't change anything. So how come Richardson isn't in trouble?

Posted by: Anonymous Truth Location: Augusta on May 7, 2008 at 08:42 PM
The reality is if you weren't in the band when Richardson was a band director then you can't speak on anything. When Mr. Shelton became band director we didn't have confrontations because he wouldn't allow that. He wanted us to be protected. When Richardson was the director we have gotten into plenty confrontations. All we were to Richardson was a pay check. And the reality of it is let's face it Richardson is Caucasian. When people see an African American male do something good there is always a flaw behind it. Richardson didn't teach me anything honestly. To him I was just anybody but I love music so i saw past that. Shelton has taught us alot. He would go out of his way for us. If We weren't just a pay check to Richardson he would still be with us but he went to the money. It was never about the money to Shelton it was about education. So before you speak we are the past students of Richardson so you wake up and except the truth. Today is and will never be the same as yesterday.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Ga on May 7, 2008 at 07:51 PM
oh and when i was talking bout the band gettin into fights i'm talking about with the old band director...i am a old band student by the way...now the band stays out of trouble and has made butler have a better reputation by the way...and me a old student is telling you...

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Ga on May 7, 2008 at 05:21 PM
ok i know everything that happened and the band did get into a fight and stuff happened its not hitting people at parades no band what so ever is aloud to let people walk through the section so get it straight and i do know what i am talking about and i know past students and current students and the way students been acting before shelton got there is ashame people that were in band it sounded okay but it was better this year i am educated about whats going on spend a week at the school and get facts straight but yes he spent some time but still when you play around and wait until the last minute to prepare it doesnt say much but still band ran itself last year thats why no one really wanted to be in it at first until the found out mr. shelton was coming then see how many people came but anyway none of this has anything to do with mr. richardson and stopping someone from cutting through the section is not beating them up but i know more than you think im educated on it well.

Posted by: PAST STUDENT OF BUTLER Location: AUGUSTA on May 7, 2008 at 11:15 AM
I attended Butler High School about 6 years ago and from experience I know that this entire school is out of control. The staff has no control over the students and this kind of thing problably happens more often than not without even being noticed wether it be between 2 students or a teacher and a student. This is more than that teachers fault or the students, this is the entire schools fault. The board of education lost their control over this school years ago. As a mother of 2 girls I would home school them before my children ever stepped foot in this school. Many of my friends, family and neighbors in the community agree. It's no wonder teenager's can't even pass a graduation test, they're attention is elsewhere. It's time for the Board of Education to WAKE UP!

Posted by: Glenn Location: Augusta on May 7, 2008 at 10:52 AM
The old Band director did way more than you think. The band has class and sound. The band did not get into fights with other bands, or hit people who were at parades watching. This was the band of Mr. Shelton that got into fights with other bands and it was Mr. Shelton's frontline team that beat up on a person who was watching the children's day parade. Neither director got anyone into college. That student's grades and SAT scores did that. What Mr. Richardson did was get in contact with college band directors and make sure the students auditioned for scholarships. Mr. Richardson took a lot of time making sure that students were prepared for auditions so that they represented BHS in a correct manner. You ask his old students, they will tell you What's up. Also, I am glad that you have your band director's back, but become educated on what's going on before you speak.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Ga on May 6, 2008 at 08:46 PM
first off the old band director never did teaching anything and the band was not doing good or they would have got into a fight with another band....like i once stated dont judge just by what someone tells you or what the papers say because dont know him either ...so if you dont know anything dont say nothing ...because i mean even if the old band director had students go to college it wasnt because of him in the first place it was because of that student....but there is nothing to talk about him anyway....your opinion is on you and of course you know not to judge people especially if you dont know him well and you probably dont but i do ..and i know facts not opinions...mr. shleton is a great man and a great teacher ...and he has taught great this...i mean everyone knows right from wrong its up to the parents to make decisions until they are grown and out of the house. but he is a great and trusting person...

Posted by: Truth BHS Location: Augusta on May 6, 2008 at 08:21 PM
And for the sleep over situation. If you think that coming in about two hours early at the least and three at the most is sleeping over then falling asleep in class should be a crime. We went home got ourselves together at HOME and came back early. Just like when some of us sleep in class after the test some of us wanted to sleep before we took the long drive to South Carolina State for their homecoming parade. That was one of the best experiences of our lives. Thank you Mr. Shelton. If your child lied to you about were they were that is not our fault. If you didn't want them to come early or be there at all just keep them at home. That is your child they know right from wrong. Funny how everything happens when he was doing good and making a difference. We wouldn't have had this chance last year. Shelton actually CARED for us. People think. If you had sex 6-8 times aweek in the band room don't you think someone would notice and we wouldn't have learned anything let alone perform?Think

Posted by: Bee Location: Augusta on May 6, 2008 at 08:01 PM
You know what I am really tired of this. If you didn't go to Butler High School you shouldn't have anything to say. You want to pass judgments. This is a she said situation. What about the people who were there? If you could never get in touch with him how can he admit anything? Mr. Shelton is an excellent teacher and he would never do anything to harm us. If anything he wants to protect us. If what he did was so wrong why isn't she talking? You haven't went to school with these females. You haven't sat down and actually had time to talk to them. This is a lie. Coming from a student who knows these people . Children will lie to hide the truth from their parents. It hurts me to know that my peers people that are suppose to be my friends lied on someone who tried to help us. If you haven't paid close attention her mother said these things. She did not go to school with her child. So the real victim isn't the female it is Mr. Shelton. It is affecting us all. What about this mans family?

Posted by: Glenn Location: Augusta on May 6, 2008 at 12:08 PM
It is very sad that these things happen. Teachers have the responsibility to educate children and prepare them for adult life. Part of that responsibility is to teach them right from wrong. It doesn't matte who he got to go to college, or how much he loved music. The fact is that IF this happened, adding to what he has admitted to already, what lessons were his students learning? Further, what example was he setting to his students? Is this the best we can do? I know that Butler had a great band before Mr. Shelton, and with the old band director, there was never a sexual or unprofessional issue brought up, and he had students go on to college. Richmond County needs to change its screening and interviewing policy so it can attract the high quality teachers.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 5, 2008 at 08:23 PM
I fault both because the man knows better but at the same time there are some hot and FAST girls out here and they are going to do somethings that are not right. Then when the parents find out they are quickly to blame the person of having sex with their child. These girls have a mind of their own and when you are in high scholl you should know right from wrond, so there for it was consentual. I blame both it takes tow. And eight times A WEEK...somebosy was liking something for it to go on that many times!

Posted by: Rochelle Glover Location: Augusta on May 5, 2008 at 07:18 PM
Yes, i agree he has had sleepovers, to save the parents the trouble. Honestly, they know their child, if they thought of anything to occur they could have let them stay at home. If the girls say this happened why aren't they talking....???? And for one thing, people even the news people don't know whats going on, not even a clue....I know the girls...We know they are lying...but the media gets only a portion of the info....Not fair...not clear...butler's band was doing good with him there.But then again you can't really help kids because when they don't get their way they lie...(likewise) and you see the result...Yall look at the negative and you try to pull the negative out....What about the good...??? Do you know how many kids he has gotten into college????No. you know why you don't, because you don't know him......you don't know the truth...But yet his name, life, family, friends, and love for music is at stake, because of a lie.

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