Tulsa World: Former Wyandotte teacher held on rape, lewd acts charges

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Former Wyandotte teacher held on rape, lewd acts charges

Brian Matthew Rash, 38

By SHEILA STOGSDILL World Correspondent
Published: 11/10/2009 12:39 PM
Last Modified: 11/10/2009 3:58 PM

MIAMI, Okla. - A former Wyandotte band teacher is being held on $650,000 bail in connection the alleged molestation of former students, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s office said Tuesday.

Brian Matthew Rash, 38, is facing pending charges of rape and lewd acts with a child, said Bob Ernst, Ottawa County Undersheriff. He is being held in Jasper County, Mo., waiting extradition to Oklahoma, he said.

The sexual misconduct accusations came to light during a five-month investigation after Rash’s residence was vandalized. One piece of vandalism including writing on the side of his vehicle that stated he was a child molester, Ernst said. During the investigation, two former students came forward with the sexual allegations, including a former student who confessed to the vandalism, he said. The former band teacher also allegedly confessed to sexual misconduct with a former band student, Ernst said.

Authorities are investigating other leads, Ernst said.

Rash was employed by Joplin (Missouri) Catholic School District from 1995 to 1997; Wyandotte Public School District from 1997 to 2000 and Neosho (Missouri) Public School District from 2000 to 2007, Ernst said.

By SHEILA STOGSDILL World Correspondent

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	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (11/10/2009 12:48:33 PM) Fry him!
	Report Comment okierose, Tulsa County (11/10/2009 12:58:08 PM) At 38 years old, he just couldn't keep his hands off the young ones. Now he gets to spend a very long time in jail thinking about it.
	Report Comment Wheels_Dawg, Chetopa (11/10/2009 1:03:24 PM) Band teacher huh? I'm guessing the students weren't girls.
	Report Comment out here in the middle, Sand Springs (11/10/2009 1:48:28 PM) This one time, at band camp...
	Report Comment Ignatz, A nice place where Democrats hold every office in the County. (11/10/2009 5:41:53 PM) Looks like a chick magnet to me!
	Report Comment Milo, PoDunk (11/10/2009 8:58:55 PM) Magnet..oh my.. He will have plenty to do with his hands..okie rose..
	Report Comment Alix Smart, (11/11/2009 12:57:00 PM) former flute player???
	Report Comment CokeGuy, (11/11/2009 8:44:09 PM) I worked in the same building with him previously... he worked on the other side of the building so didn't see him much....thought he was a little odd....but never saw this one coming. Wheels Dawg....you are correct....it wasn't girls according the reports from the Joplin Globe Newspaper. According to some former students....they said it was a matter of time before it became public.
	Report Comment BD22, (11/11/2009 9:32:08 PM) I am a band director, and I unfortunately knew this guy. Rash is definitely weird in a creepy way. He is the one in a million that gives band directors/teachers a bad rap, and he has outright embarrassed the profession. We aren't all like him, so please don't use this case to stereotype band directors. I've known many directors in my career and he is the only one who has done something this despicable and unprofessional.

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