School's band director charged with sex crimes against student

ASHE COUNTY, N.C. — The Ashe County High School band director is facing felony charges for sex crimes he allegedly committed with a student.

The Ashe County Sheriff’s Office said deputies started investigating Ryan Claar more than a month ago.

Some of the parents with children who attend the school were shocked to hear about the investigation and then the grand jury indictments this week. Investigators said Wednesday the incidents allegedly happened on the school’s campus.

Sheriff’s deputies said Claar resigned from his position at Ashe County High School shortly after they started their investigation last month. Claar had led the band for the past year and a half.

The investigation ended this week with three indictments for indecent liberties with a student.

"There's no place safe anymore. You hear of this other places and bigger places and you don't think it will wind up in your own county but sometimes it comes home to roost," said Sheriff James Williams.

Investigators said the alleged incidents date back to the beginning of the school year.

A school resource officer learned about the allegations and contacted deputies.

"I wasn't the only one. A bunch of our parents were like, ‘That can't be possible. He was fantastic. He joked around with them. He made them smile. He made them love what they were doing," said Stephanie Nichols, the mother of one of the band students.

Deputies said the three indictments all involve one student. They would not say if there are more cases. Amy Miller and other parents said incidents such as this can happen anywhere, including small communities.

"I have children coming into the high school, and if they'd put God back into the school system, probably a lot of this stuff wouldn't happen," Miller said.

The sheriff said Claar will be arraigned Thursday morning in court in West Jefferson, where he will be served with the three indictments.

WSOC