MO/OK: Rash faces sex abuse charges

By Shelly Schultz, Miami News-Record and staff reports

Neosho Daily News

Tue Nov 10, 2009, 01:47 PM CST

http://www.neoshodailynews.com/news/x2087391944/Rash-faces-sex-abuse-charges

MIAMI, Okla. -

A former Neosho Middle School band instructor has been arrested on several counts of child sexual abuse.

Brian Matthew Rash, 38, is accused of molesting at least two former male band students in Oklahoma.

Rash was a band instructor at Neosho Middle School from 2000-07 and previously served as band director for the Wyandotte, Okla., school system from 1997-2000.

Oklahoma authorities said they were called to the Rash’s Ottawa County, Okla., home on June 24 of this year in reference to a property destruction complaint. Upon his arrival, Deputy Aaron Bachman of the Ottawa County, Okla., Sheriff’s Department said he discovered several items thrown about the yard, the doors to all three of Rash’s vehicles open and writing on the side of Rash’s truck that stated “you are a child molester.”

“Several other things around the home were vandalized as well,” Bachman said, “including a broken double-pane window and ripped screen on the home.”

Rash told authorities that prior vandalism incidents included fliers spread around his home alleging he was a child molester.

A 22-year-old former student has admitted to vandalizing Rash’s home and alleged Rash had molested him when he was a child.

The alleged victim told authorities the sexual abuse began on an overnight band trip to Tulsa when he was approximately 11. The now 22-year-old said the sexual abuse continued for about three years, and occurred at Rash’s home, in the band instructor’s vehicle and on the band trip. He also said he believed Rash had sexually abused other students.

During an interview with a psychologist on the multidisciplinary team, Rash reportedly confessed to performing oral sex with a former band student in Neosho.

“We were not aware, nor were any reports ever made, of any inappropriate behavior during his time in Neosho,” said Dr. Richard Page, superintendent of Neosho R-5 School District.

Meanwhile, another former Wyandotte student has come forward with allegations of inappropriate contact with Rash.

“We are investigating other possible leads, including those in three school districts he was formerly employed by,” said Bob Ernst, Ottawa County, Okla., undersheriff.

Ernst said in addition to Wyandotte and Neosho, Rash was previously employed by Joplin Catholic Schools, from 1995 to 1997.

Rash is currently being held in the Jasper County Jail in Carthage on two counts of first degree rape, four counts of rape by instrumentation and two counts of indecent proposals to a child. Rash is awaiting extradition to Oklahoma and bond has been set at $650,000.

A spokesman with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department said Rash was arrested at 5:27 p.m. Nov. 6 at his residence in Joplin on warrants out of Ottawa County, Okla.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office at (918) 542-2807.