BARNSTABLE — A vocal coach and music director at a Hyannis church has been charged with sexually assaulting a teenage student earlier this year.
Stephen B. Lindberg, 54, of Barnstable, has been charged with 10 counts of statutory rape, one count of indecent assault and battery, one count of child endangerment, one count of violating a protective order and two counts of indecent exposure.
The charges stem from a series of assaults on a 14-year-old girl from late 2010 until June 2011, according to a press release from the Barnstable police.
Lindberg had been coaching the victim since 2007, when she was 10, according to the release.
Lindberg was arrested Monday after he was released from Cape Cod Hospital, where he was recovering from injuries sustained in a single-vehicle accident earlier in the month. (According to news reports this accident was more than likely a suicide attempt due to his impending arrest. FHP)
In addition to working as a private vocal coach, Lindberg was the music director at the Unity of Cape Cod Church in Hyannis. He was fired on Tuesday because of the allegations, according to the church's board of trustees.
The trustees issued a statement saying they were "shocked and saddened" by the allegations. "The safety of the congregation and the wider community are our highest priority. While the police assure us that, thus far in their investigation, none of the charges against Mr. Lindberg stem from activities taking place in the church, the board feels that the serious nature of the charges warrant immediate termination," the statement reads.
Police have identified another 14-year-old victim and additional charges are expected in that case, according to the release.
Disgusting! These (alleged) creeps use their positions to take advantage of vulnerable children for their own nefarious purposes. As I've said before organized religion seems to be nothing more than a pervert's victim selection service.
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