(Memphis) A band director in Wynne, Ark., is free on bond after being charged with a child sex crime.
Nicholas Wooster could face six years in prison if convicted of trying to lure a 16-year-old student into having sex.
“He’s kind of an odd guy,” said AJ Jackson.
AJ Jackson says he knew Wooster from band class.
“I played saxophone,” Jackson said.
Wooster was his teacher, and Jackson said, “I felt like he had problems because he would get really mad about little things.”
Wooster is not in trouble for anger issues, but for allegedly trying to get a student to have sex. with him.
The chief of police says Wooster confessed.
“He was taking her out of study hall classes or whatever and taking her to the band room,” said Jeff Sanders, the chief of the Wynne Police Department.
Sanders says Wooster admitted kissing the girl and exposing himself to her at Wynne High School, as well as sending her sexual pictures on Facebook since December.
“I really wasn’t that surprised because I’ve heard some other people say he’s made some odd comments, like ‘Oh, I’ve seen your pictures on Facebook and they look really sexy for a girl your age,’” Jackson said.
Jackson claims Wooster made those comments to his younger sister.
Police only know about this recent case after somebody called the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline. It’s something Chief Sanders hopes others do if they suspect sexual abuse of a minor.
“There’s no telling how much stuff goes on out there that does get swept underneath the rug,” he said.
Despite Jackson’s feelings about Wooster, he says he is reserving judgment against him until he has his day in court, “Because I want to give him the benefit of the doubt.”
Wooster bonded out of jail Thursday for $1,000. His next court date is July 25.