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Former band director arrested, charged Save Email Print
Posted: 1:45 PM May 9, 2008
 Last Updated: 10:11 AM May 10, 2008
 Reporter: Lynnsey Gardner
Email Address: lynnsey.gardner@wrdw.com
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May 9, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga -- The Richmond County Sheriff's Office arrested 37-year-old Anthony Shelton this morning. Shelton, a former band director at Butler High School, is charged with child molestation and sexual assault. Shelton and his attorney went to the Law Enforcement Center and Shelton was taken into custody after an interview with investigators.

According to a sheriff's office news release, one 15-year-old victim stated she had sex with Shelton six to eight times in his office. A 16-year-old victim stated she had sex with Shelton three times, also in his office. A third victim, 15 years old, stated that she went to sleep on the couch in Shelton's office and woke up to find Shelton fondling her breasts.

The sheriff's office also reports obtaining statements from at least three other female students who say Shelton made sexually explicit comments to them, but that they had not had any physical contact with him.

According to an incident report filed with the Sheriff's Office last week, one 16-year-old's mother alleges Shelton had sex with her daughter six to eight times a week in the band room. She also alleges Shelton would pull her daughter out of class and that her child even knew that Shelton kept the condoms hidden in his desk drawer.
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Posted by: A Friend Location: US on Jun 25, 2008 at 07:33 PM
I worked with Mr Shelton a few years ago. We were very close and I know that this is not him. He's a smart man that wouldn't make a stupid decision such as this. Kids these days aren't as honest as they may seem. They go out at night and party and destroy private and public property or whatever. If one in a group of friends isn't where the others are they will generally lie if need be to make things work in their favor. Has anyone tested the females to see if this is true? I doubt it plus it probably wouldn't matter these days anyways since some people can't keep control of their kids no matter what they do. I believe that Mr Shelton is innocent. I probably knew him better than anyone he worked with there in Augusta, and that just isn't him.
Posted by: shannon Location: hawaii on Jun 25, 2008 at 03:23 AM
I worked closely with Mr. Shelton and his band my daughter was in his band till we moved. He instilled discipline and gave young adults a chance to become talented musicians and artists. I have never seen or heard of him touching, fondling or speaking wrong to the members. Nothing in this story makes sense, why would other staff members allow their student to be removed from class up to 8 times a week. I hope the accusers realize just how much damage they have brought to Mr. Shelton and his family just by accusations alone. I as a band parent know that he never travels alone with the band students there are always other parents and chaperones. He has female chaperones to help with the young women in the band there are always precautions taken by him to ensure the safety of everyone involved. I send my best wishes to him and his family because the people that know him well know he would never do such a stupid thing.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 1, 2008 at 08:58 PM
For those of you that is being so judgemental about this case, remember there are 3 sides to EVERY STORY(his, hers & the truth). These are young girls that is attacking this man out of anger. Only a stupid, ignorant fool would jeopordize THEIR family, career & life fooling with (young girls(3-6)on this standard for SEX. What educated young lady would continously skip class & go have sex(6-8X'S a week no time 4 the others)the math don't add up. If so much sex was going in the band hall were any condoms, pubic hairs or semen found. I just wonder how do a person miss class that frequently and there is no ?'s asked(of students where abouts). This is foul and toooooooooooooooooo many people are involved with the same allegations on 1 person. Was Mr. Shelton at work on any of these days stated by the young ladies? How many breaks did Mr. Shelton have during school hrs? This wnt on too long. Someone really enjoyed it if it happened or is it all fiction?
Posted by: Free Mr Shelton Location: GA on May 29, 2008 at 09:35 AM
It seems that there is a lot of additional information about this matter that is not being exposed. These young ladies are all friends and one of them was put out of the band by Mr. Shelton. Another one of these young ladies was recently suspended from school because she was late for Mr. Sheltons class and when she returned to school she started making allegations. Word on the street is that they wanted him gone some they could all be in the band next year. Futhermore, why isn't the school stepping up so say yeah or nay on the allegation of Mr. Shelton sending for this young lady to come to the band hall 6-8 times a week for the past four months? If this is true why isn't anyone speaking on this matter
Posted by: Melissa Location: Augusta on May 20, 2008 at 04:24 PM
****, NO MORE FREE TICKETS TO THE BATTLE OF THE BAND!!!!
Posted by: Logan Location: augusta on May 13, 2008 at 01:55 AM
I Smell a RAT, something don't sound right about this story especially from the students(girls).
Posted by: SKEE OOOO Location: BHS on May 10, 2008 at 02:45 PM
Anonymous, you need to let it go man and just chill. All this cheerleading for yo boi is just gettin people to wonder about you. Just let the justice system handle it. We know what Shelton was dawg, but we also know there are things that he said to us that were not right neither. Just let the man and his lawyer settle it. I hear you trashin everyone around, even folk that no longer here. Just let is rest. I hope like you it ain't true, just wait and let the folk sort it out. Peace...Skeee ooo
Posted by: Anonymous on May 9, 2008 at 07:47 PM
Mr. Shelton doesn't match up with any of the charges being placed on him. He was a man who instilled discipline in his band. He had dreams of starting a youth development program for musicians. He has aided in students getting into colleges and universities. Not even mentioning the fact that he served his country in the armed forces. No one wants to discuss that. If everything goes through and he comes up innocent, I hope he counter-sues the parents that have reported that..."According to a sheriff's office news release, one 15-year-old victim stated she had sex with Shelton six to eight times in his office." I've got news for you that is here say and you don't know what's going on because you weren't there. I sincerely hope the media helps clear his reputation once the verdict is in. Karma's a ......
Posted by: Imerald Location: Augusta on May 9, 2008 at 06:55 PM
I thought the system is that we are innocent until proven guilty. It seems odd to me that the alleged victims were being pulled from class and the other educators allowed this with out arousing suspicion. I think an investigation should be conducted, before this arrest and his picture profiled in the news. It would be a sad day during the course of the investigation, if conducted properly reveal that these comments were made by this particular individual because she was reprimanded for her behavior and was mad at the teacher and told a lie on him and now it has gotten to this point. Why would this mother send her daughter to Atlanta, what is she hiding? You can not run from the truth. This sounds like Tawana Bradley all over again. Is mommy interested in suing? Has the price of gas and the recession cause people to sell their souls? I wonder how many lawyers mommy has spoken too. Glad they offer free consultations. Oh, I never met Mr. shelton. It sounds suspect to me.
Posted by: 21 year-old stepson of Mr.Shelton Location: Augusta, GA on May 9, 2008 at 05:05 PM
David Paschal, it's interesting that you make such a comment about my stepfather while not even knowing the whole situation. The fact that he has not been convicted does not prove anything. Further more, they are nothing more than stupid allegations of a girl, her friends, and one of their mothers that dislike my stepfather just because their child was a delinquent. So don't you dare wish such intentions on him just because he has been falsely accused. My stepfather, mother, brother, sister, and god sister has been working with high school bands for over 4 years TOGETHER and the accusations DO NOT add up from the alleged victims. How about for future reference, back off with your offensive, opinionated statements without knowing what is really happening.
Posted by: Jane Doe Location: Augusta, GA on May 9, 2008 at 04:31 PM
Something about this story just doesn't add up to me. I mean, if I was a teacher and this one student was being pulled out of class 6 to 8 times a week, I'd be questioning why or making a complaint. Has anyone asked any of her teachers if this was really going on? Also, why wait until now to say something about it. If I was being sexually molested by one of my teachers I'd tell someone, especially if it happened on a regular basis. I believe more questions should be asked to these girls because its just hard to believe that this one man would have time to do something like this with these females. I don't think this man should be convicted of doing something with so little evidence.
Posted by: David Paschal Location: Austin, TX on May 9, 2008 at 04:26 PM
Anthony Shelton, as an educator and former director, weren’t you aware that the world doesn’t like adults or any persons of legal age to misuse their adulthood to have sex with children. Those young women you betrayed needed to be educated and didn’t need your sexual contacts for which may caused them to be mentally damaged for the rest of their lives if their parents do not find them adequate professional help. You should be absolutely ashamed of yourself and may God have mercy on your pitiful soul when you enter in to a prison where I hope you will find just how it feels to be molested.
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