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Volunteer Band Coach Charged With Molestation, Battery
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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.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( ad ) on April 9, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Yes, it was wrong.
I find it amazing how 2 - 15year old girls in today's world cannot just say "NO" and get out of the situation. It is not like they were "molested" while being tied down in a remote location, no, it was in the back seat of a PUBLIX parking lot. They should be treated as consenting adults, because they are not "victims".
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Posted by ( Catman1 ) on April 9, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
This was very wrong. This is way worse than those other two Palm Harbor Teens that poured soap in that pond.
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Posted by ( frmrphstudent ) on April 9, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I know Wilborn. This is a kid for all intents and purposes. He's no mature adult no matter what the legal age says. He needs to be held responsible, but I would hate to see his life destroyed by a long prison term. He needs help.
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Posted by ( westwardho ) on April 9, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
He may need help, but all statistics will tell you that pedophiles cannot be treated. They will re-offend after "treatment".
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Posted by ( marymcq ) on April 9, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree with ad, yes this is wrong, but it seems like at least one of those girls were playing "boyfriend/girlfriend" and unless I miss my guess, she got wind of him touching someone else, got jealous, and told on him. Now please don't get me wrong, what he did is illegal, but I don't believe we have a real "victim"
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Posted by ( rjc59 ) on April 9, 2008 at 6:05 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
My wife was 15 and I was 18 when we married, and thats been 31yrs ago. I said that to say, every girl is not the same. I know that today I wouldn't marry these 15year olds. And my wife was a Army wife and went everywhere I went for 7 years with one child, and today its still the same.
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