Former Luzerne County School Band Director Sentenced to Prison for Sexual Assault of Student; Must Register with Police for Life

September 30, 2024 | Topic: Criminal

HARRISBURG – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that Theron Roberts, a former band director at Crestwood High School, will serve six to 23½ months in prison for sexually assaulting a student in 2019.

At sentencing Friday, Roberts was also ordered to register under the Sexual Offender Registration Notification Act (SORNA) for the rest of his life.

A jury convicted Roberts in June of felony institutional sexual assault and corruption of minors and two misdemeanor counts of indecent assault.

According to testimony, Roberts befriended the victim, beginning when the student was in seventh grade, and made sexual advances throughout the years, assaulting the student when the student was in high school.

“This sentence ensures that the defendant is held accountable for what was predatory behavior and a blatant abuse of his position of authority,” Attorney General Henry said. “When someone in a position of trust chooses to exploit and abuse a student, it shakes the foundation of our educational system. Our schools should be safe spaces for students to feel comfortable learning and forming healthy relationships, not in fear of being preyed upon.”

Roberts, 41, was the high school band director when, during one-on-one classes, he touched the student’s thigh, made comments about the student’s romantic relationship with another student, and touched the student’s clothing in intimate areas. Roberts also assaulted the student in a private alcove area, grabbing the student’s buttocks and threatening the student to not tell anybody what happened.

The judge ruled that Roberts is allowed out on $25,000 unsecured bail pending an appeal, which his defense said he will be appealing.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Julia van Leeuwen and Senior Deputy Attorney Lauren Eichelberger.

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