Local band director faces molestation charges

ST. PETERSBURG - A local band director has to face the music with police. Raphael McLean, 26, is accused of fondling a female student at Lakewood High School.

According to detectives, he wrestled a 15-year-old to the floor and grabbed her breasts over her clothes without her consent. The alleged incident happened in the school’s band room.

Officers say this isn’t the first time McLean has done something like this. They say he admitted to a similar incident involving the same victim on Monday. This time, according to detectives, McLean wrestled her to the floor in his office but did not touch the victim’s breasts.

The band director was taken into custody on Thursday afternoon. He’s charged with lewd and lascivious molestation. He was taken to the Pinellas County Jail and bond was set at $20,000.

Officers say the investigation into McLean is still ongoing and more charges may be filed against him in the future.