Police search home of teacher

8/13/2003

A search warrant carried out at the home of a Norwalk, Ohio-area man found evidence of child pornography and sexual contact with minors.

Kevin Kohler, 38, the band director at Madison Junior High School in Mansfield, Ohio, was charged last week with rape in connection with an incident involving a child.

Authorities searched his Norwalk Township home Thursday for evidence of sexual activity with minors and found photos, videotapes, computer discs, and other material, according to documents filed Monday in Norwalk Municipal Court.

“That was the intent of searching the home, to see if there was any of that type of material present,” said Lt. Randy Sommers of the Huron County Sheriff's Office, which conducted the search with the Richland County Sheriff's Office and state Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.

Mr. Kohler pleaded not guilty to the rape charge, a first-degree felony which upon conviction carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, during a hearing in Mansfield Municipal Court.

Bob Castor, an assistant Richland County prosecutor, said the case will be presented to a grand jury. He declined to discuss details of the case.

Mr. Kohler, who also is assistant director of the Madison High School band, has worked for the district nine years.