Former West Aurora Band Director Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault

According to this Beacon-News report, former West Aurora High School band director Stephen Orland pleaded guilty Friday morning to two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault.

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison, according to the Beacon story.

Orland, 42, of the 2700 block of Bauer Road in North Aurora, was indicted in July on three counts of criminal sexual assault, a Class 1 felony; 13 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony; and 11 counts of battery, a Class A misdemeanor.

Orland was accused of having sexual contact with two female students, according to prosecutors from the Kane County State’s Attorney’s office. The contact took place on multiple occasions between Jan. 1, 2010, and May 5, 2011, and took place in the band room and band storage room at West Aurora High School, and in Orland’s car, the indictment alleged.

Both of the victims were under the age of 18 for some of the incidents, although Orland “continued to have contact of an insulting or provoking nature after the two victims turned 18,” prosecutors said. Because of the age of the victims, and Orland’s position of authority, the sexual acts, even if consensual, would be considered criminal under the law.

Orland was with the West Aurora School District for 19 years, and was a popular teacher.

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