UPDATE: High school band director sentenced on sex charges

PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A former band director was sentenced to nearly two years in prison in connection with sex charges involving two students, the Scioto County Prosecutor's Office says.

On Thursday, Matthew Swintek, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual battery and two counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, according to Scioto County Prosecutor Mark Kuhn.

Swintek was a band director at Portsmouth High School.

Portsmouth police say the band director began a sexual relationship with one of his students in 2012 when the girl was 16 and beginning her junior year. Officers say that relationship continued for three years into her first year of college.

Detectives say she reported the relationship to Portsmouth High School this past August, and they alerted the Portsmouth Police Department.

Swintek is also accused of sexting another girl in 2012 who was 16 at the time. That girl was a student at a school in Ross County, investigators say.

Investigators say Swintek will be sentenced to 23 months in the custody of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitations and Corrections. He's also ordered to register as a Tier 3 sex offender. Swintek also voluntarily surrendered his teaching license.

PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- An educator is behind bars, facing sex charges involving two students.

Matthew Swintek, band director at Portsmouth High School, was indicted Tuesday following an investigation that began in August.

Swintek, 27, didn't have anything to say on camera as he was being taken to jail.

Portsmouth police say the band director began a sexual relationship with one of his students in 2012 when the girl was 16 and beginning her junior year. Officers say that relationship continued for three years into her first year of college.

Detectives say she reported the relationship to Portsmouth High School this past August, and they alerted the Portsmouth Police Department.

"She somewhat knew it was wrong," Detective Charles Crapyou said, "because when he would take her back to his house, or wherever they were, she would have to hide in the vehicle so that they wouldn't be spotted together."

Swintek is also accused of sexting another girl in 2012 who was 16 at the time. That girl was a student at a school in Ross County, investigators say.

"You've got kids that are growing up that want to experience life a little bit sooner than they should," Crapyou said, "and then you've got somebody that's taken advantage of that, and his duty at that point in time was to say no. Even if they did flaunt it toward him, he has a duty and a responsibility to say no."

Portsmouth City Schools Superintendent Scott Dutey tells WSAZ that Swintek has been on paid administrative leave since Aug. 1.

He's expected to be in court later this week. Until then he's being held in the Scioto County Jail without bond, investigators say.

"He's utilized everything in the work book to gain this much from these kids," Crapyou said. "He's taken them on field trips, gotten on their good side. Kids like him, and of course parents are going to fall right in line and love him."

Portsmouth High student Levi Monraga says with preceding rumors, the band director's arrest doesn't come as a shock.

"We all knew about it," Monraga said. "It was just like, there was no proof to it. It doesn't surprise any of us really."

Detectives say earlier Tuesday they thought police in northern Ohio were going to have to pick Swintek up. That's where he's from and that's where he's been staying lately, Crapyou said, but then he was spotted Tuesday at a restaurant in Portsmouth and picked up a short time later.

A 21-count indictment released Tuesday charges Swintek of three counts of sexual battery and 17 counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance.

According to the indictment, he is also charged with disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.

Portsmouth Police also say Swintek had other inappropriate student-teacher conduct in the spring of 2012, while Swintek was at Ohio University doing student teaching.

Swintek was a student teacher at Southeastern High School in Ross County.

During his assignment, police say he exchanged sexually oriented pictures and messages with a female student at the high school.

The Ross County charges are included in the indictment.

PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A high school band director is under arrest on sex charges involving a student.

According to court records obtained by WSAZ, Matthew Swintek, 27, of Portsmouth was indicted Tuesday.

Swintek is the band director at Portsmouth High School.

A 21-count indictment released Tuesday charges Swintek of three counts of sexual battery and 17 counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance.

According to the indictment, he is also charged with disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.

Portsmouth City Schools superintendent Scott Dutey tells WSAZ Swintek has been on paid administrative leave since August 1.

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