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2nd Child Accuses Teacher Of Abuse

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By LISA A. DAVIS and CLAUDIA DoCAMPO

The Tampa Tribune News Channel 8

Published: June 11, 2008

HUDSON - The preschool teacher accused last week of fondling a 4-year-old student during nap time is back behind bars facing a more serious charge.

Brian Michael Lane is now charged with capital sexual battery, accused of raping a 10-year-old boy several times between January and March. The incidents did not occur at the Sugar Plum First Class Preschool, where Lane worked, said Pasco County Sheriff's Office spokesman Doug Tobin, who declined to say where the incidents occurred.

The 10-year-old attended the school's before- and after-school program at 7800 New York Ave. The boy told detectives that Lane touched him in a sexual manner about 10 times, according to a sheriff's office report.

Lane told the boy that if he told anyone what happened, his father would kill him, the report states.

When detectives went to Lane's home Monday night, he asked for a lawyer and would not talk about the charges, a report says.

On Thursday, Lane, 29, was arrested on a lewd and lascivious molestation charge. According to a report, he said he touched the 4-year-old boy once, but deputies say the child told them it occurred several times. Lane, of 7751 Deer Foot Drive, was released from Land O' Lakes Jail on Saturday after posting $10,000 bail. But bail was revoked Tuesday because of the new charge, and he was being held without bail.

In addition to being a preschool teacher, Lane has been a member of Bayonet Point Christian Church on State Road 52 for years and for the past two he has been a music pastor.

Joey Durmire, church pastor, said Tuesday that Lane led the choir during every Sunday service. He worked with children, Durmire said, but the church has a policy that no child can be left alone with a single adult.

"Honestly, we're shocked and our hearts are saddened," he said. "We're just as duped as anyone else."

Added youth minister Michael Bryant: "Just like everyone else, I'm shocked. I mean I see someone out there that you know, we loved and cared about, do something terrible."

Tonight the church will open its doors to its 100-plus congregation so parents can ask questions and discuss the allegations against Lane.

"They feel like this person they trusted has, you know, lied to them," Durmire said.

Colleen Wolfe, owner of the preschool, said Tuesday that she did not want to comment on the latest allegation but was happy her students' parents were rallying around the school.

Last week, she gave a tour to a reporter, showing off the large interior windows that offer views into each classroom and the video cameras throughout the facility, and all the while she wondered how this could happen. Lane worked for her for nearly six years, and she considered him a good teacher until she learned of the allegations.

Tobin is asking parents who think their child may have been abused to call 1-800-96-ABUSE (962-2873). The battery allegations came to light when a parent called the hot line Friday, Tobin said. The sheriff's office also received calls.

"I do know we've had other calls that have come in," Tobin said, declining to give specifics. "There is a possibility that there could be more victims out there."

A woman opened the door at Lane's home but declined to comment about him.

"Don't bother me," she said.

Neighbors said they didn't' know Lane and that he and people he lived with kept to themselves.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083 or ldavis@tampatrib.com.

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