Music teacher faces new sex charges
A popular Bell High School music teacher faces new sexual assault and sexual exploitation charges amid allegations that he inappropriately touched two female students while he was at work.
Timothy Stanutz, 56, appeared in court Thursday by video to face two more counts of sexual exploitation and sexual assault.
He was re-released from custody on a $2,500 bond and was ordered to abide by certain conditions, including a ban from having any contact or communication with females under the age of 18. He had initially been banned from having any contact with females under the age of 16.
When Stanutz, who wore a darkcoloured suit jacket during his brief court appearance, was asked if he understood the conditions he replied, “Absolutely.”
The charges were laid less than week after Stanutz appeared in court on May 6 to face sexual exploitation and sexual assault charges related to another alleged female victim.
When the first set of charges were laid, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board said in a statement that it’s co-operating with police and had placed the accused on immediate leave.
Former students expressed shock and disbelief that the wellliked music teacher was facing charges.
Students said Stanutz was an unofficial guidance counsellor and was a favourite teacher for many at the school.
Stanutz is scheduled to appear in court next on May 26.
Ottawa police said in a statement that officers with the sexual assault and child abuse unit are concerned there could be more victims and are continuing to investigate. “The Ottawa Police will respect a victim’s wishes to pursue or not pursue the matter before the courts,” Staff Sgt. Angela McDade said in a statement.
“The reporting of these incidents by victims to police is key for investigators to identify suspects and determine crime trends.”
Stanutz is the third Ottawa teacher charged with sexual assault in little more than a month.
In April, police charged a male teacher at École secondaire catholique Pierre-Savard in Barrhaven, and a female teacher at Mother Teresa High School, also in Barrhaven.