SC band director charged with sex with NC student

CHARLOTTE — A band teacher at a South Carolina middle school has been arrested and accused of having sex with a North Carolina student.

Multiple media outlets reported that 44-year-old Richard Priode of Charlotte was charged Thursday with indecent liberties with a student.

Priode is the band director at Sullivan Middle School in Rock Hill. The charges stem from his work at South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte. Priode left South Mecklenburg last June.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools spokeswoman Cynthia Robbins says the school district cooperated with police as soon as it learned of the allegations.

Rock Hill schools spokeswoman Elaine Baker says she can’t talk about the case because the district is awaiting official notification of the charge.

It was unclear if Priode has an attorney.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)