Ohio State University marching band instructor indicted on rape charges

Ohio State band is among most respected college bands in the US

An instructor with the Ohio State University marching band – one of the most prestigious in the US – has been indicted on rape charges, the Associated Press reported.

Stewart Kitchen, a 28-year-old drum major instructor, has been charged with two counts of rape and two counts of sexual battery after he allegedly went out drinking with a female student and allegedly sexually assaulted her at his home.

Mr Kitchen faces more than 20 years in prison if he is convicted on all charges.

Documents filed in court allege that Mr Kitchen went out drinking with the 19-year-old woman – who is not old enough to legally drink in the US – before going back to his home. The woman claims that the band instructor would not take her home and sexually assaulted her in his bedroom.

Mr Kitchen was arrested last month, but was not indicted until this week. He has been suspended with pay while an investigation is conducted.

University records show that Mr Kitchen last year was caught sending a questionable text message that used a derogatory reference to breasts to other members of the band staff, The Guardian reported.

That incident came months after Ohio State Band Director Jonathan Walters was fired for what the school said was ignoring a sexualised culture within the band. Mr Walters has disputed his firing and has brought a $1 million lawsuit against the school.

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