Accused Band Director Makes First Court Appearance

Stephen Orland, the West Aurora High School band director accused of sexually abusing two students, made his first court appearance on Wednesday.

Orland, 42, of North Aurora, is charged with three counts of criminal sexual assault and four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Orland is accused of having sexual contact on multiple occasions with two students, prosecutors with the Kane County State’s Attorney's office said.

The contact began after Aug. 1, 2010, and the victims were younger than 18 during some of the instances alleged, prosecutors said.

Orland’s first court hearing was a brief one, and his next is scheduled for June 30 at 9 a.m. at the Kane County Courthouse in St. Charles.

All seven of Orland’s charges are felonies. If he is convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison, prosecutors said, and would have to register as a sex offender.

Orland has been an employee of the West Aurora School District for 19 years. He was placed on administrative leave last month, pending an investigation, and was charged on May 20.