TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Volunteer Band Coach Charged With Molestation, Battery

ADVERTISEMENT

By MIKE WELLS and STEPHEN THOMPSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 9, 2008

A volunteer assistant band coach for Palm Harbor University High School was arrested Monday on charges that he had sex with one band member on several occasions and inappropriately touched another band member, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Ryan C. Wilborn, 22, of 2554 Splitwood Way, Clearwater, was charged with one count each of lewd and lascivious molestation and lewd and lascivious battery. He was released early Tuesday from Pinellas County Jail after posting $40,000 bail.

The victims are 16-year-old girls who were 15 at the time of the alleged offenses, the sheriff's office said.

Wilborn is accused of having consensual sex with one of the girls at the Greater Palm Harbor Branch of the YMCA, in a Publix supermarket parking lot, at the girl's home and at Palm Harbor University High School, 1900 Omaha St., Sgt. Jim Bordner said.

A jail affidavit states that the sexual encounters were in September through December.

Wilborn discussed the sex in a phone call that was being monitored by sheriff's investigators, the jail affidavit states.

Wilborn is accused of touching the other girl through her clothing at the YMCA in Palm Harbor in September, a jail affidavit states. Wilborn said that to investigators after he was read his rights, the affidavit states.

Wilborn was arrested at the sheriff's administration building at 10750 Ulmerton Road.

A parent of one girl called authorities Sunday, and the second girl was identified soon after, the sheriff's office said.

Detectives said Wilborn met the girls through one of his relatives and developed relationships with them through contact at the high school, where he is a volunteer assistant band coach.

Andrea Zahn, Pinellas County schools spokeswoman, said that Wilborn helped marching band students at Palm Harbor University High School who played percussion instruments.

He logged seven hours as a volunteer assistant this year, and hasn't been paid anything, she said. He registered as a volunteer with the school system in February 2007, she said.

When he registered, he was required to undergo local and national criminal background checks, and school officials found "no indication of behavior in the past that would prohibit him from volunteering," Zahn said.

Authorities think there could be more victims, the sheriff's office said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Brad Carrozza of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office's Crimes Against Children Unit at (727) 582-6200.

Reporter Mike Wells can be reached at (813) 259-7839 or mwells@tampatrib.com. Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT