NEW MADRID COUNTY, MO (THECOUNT) — Ryan Blocker, of Lilbourn, MO, a New Madrid County Central High School band director, has been arrested at his home after being accused of “sexually touching students.”
Blocker, 34, was charged with five felony counts of sexual contact with a student and sexual contact with a student by teacher.
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Authorities were notified by New Madrid County School District leaders after multiple students reported they were inappropriately touched by Blocker, New Madrid’s band director.
An officer met with the school district leaders, was given written statements from some of the female students and a list of contact information for potential victims. The officer then contacted the parents of the potential victims and scheduled interviews. During one interview, a 14-year-old female student told officers she was in the band room being fitted for a uniform when the band director, Ryan Blocker, touched her. She told officers she jumped back and told him to stop, which he did. The student said it was only her, Blocker and one other female student in the room. Another student claimed in an interview that Blocker looked down her shirt, and that while she was being fitted for a uniform, he checked the tightness of the uniform and “groped” her above her clothes. According to court documents, the student said she asked the boys in band they told her Blocker does not fit them in that manner. source
While interviewing Dr. Sam Duncan, the superintendent for the New Madrid County School District, court documents state Duncan told officers Blocker has been counseled and reprimanded in the past for inappropriate touching of female students and inappropriate contact on social media with female students.
Blocker was arrested at his home in Lilbourn on Tuesday afternoon. He is being held on a $50,000 bond.
Anyone with possible information on the case, or if you believe you or someone you know may have been a victim, should contact police at 911.