Assistant to LHS band is arrested

n Strandberg faces child sexual abuse charge, police say

Friday, April 11, 2008

Scott Thomas Strandberg Jr., 24, was arrested April 9 after a 16-year-old female Leonardtown High School student reported incidents of sexual misconduct to a school resource officer, who turned the information over to investigators, said Lt. Rick Burris, commander of the St. Mary’s County Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

Strandberg was identified by police as the school’s drum-line coach, an after-school, part-time position.

Strandberg told police his full-time job is managing a restaurant in Calvert County.

‘‘He was a paid volunteer,” said Ed Weiland, director of human resources for St. Mary’s public schools. Weiland said Strandberg is no longer working at the school.

‘‘He’s probably paid for by Leonardtown High School and⁄or the band boosters ... for assisting with the band,” Weiland said.

‘‘Typically, it is my understanding, occasionally at the high school band levels individuals do assist with the program,” Weiland said.

They are not required to have the same background checks as hired sports coaches and other school employees, he said.

Dep. D.T. Ross, the school’s resource officer, said the alleged victim initially reported the allegations to him.

‘‘Then I notified the school and went through the proper channels,” Ross said.

According to Burris, the alleged victim reported several incidents of sexual misconduct between September and November of 2007.

‘‘One incident,” said Burris, ‘‘happened on a school bus, when they were returning to the school, after dark” following a school event. ‘‘And we believe there were two other occasions at [Strandberg’s] home.”

Following his arrest, Strandberg was taken to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and was later released on bond, Burris said.

A man identifying himself as Strandberg was reached by telephone Thursday morning at Moe’s restaurant in Lusby, where he works.

During a short conversation he acknowledged that he knows the alleged victim.