A now-former Gwinnett County high school band director is reportedly in custody after accusations surfaced from a former student alleging she and her teacher were having a sexual relationship.
Michael Appelbaum is charged with two counts of aggravated child molestation, one count of child molestation and one count of sexual assault by a teacher — all felonies.
Appelbaum turned in his letter of resignation on March 18, according to WGCL-TV, following an investigation that concluded on March 9; Appelbaum had worked at the Gwinnett School of Math Science and Technology since 2008.
The student claims to have started the sexual relationship with Appelbaum in November 2011, and continued it through August 2012.
She claimed the two had sexual intercourse a total at five times — three times at school and twice at the girl's home, though Appelbaum denied those allegations.
This was not the first time Appelbaum was investigated for inappropriate contact with students; another student, a friend of the most recent alleged victim, accused him in 2013 of touching her inappropriately, on her shoulders and buttocks.
The school is located in Lawrenceville.
