A violin teacher from Clermont faces new and additional charges in an alleged child molestation case, according to superior court documents.
Leon H. Messerlian, 87, was indicted last week on a total of 13 criminal counts. The latest indictment replaces one filed in May of 2016 in which Messerlian had faced eight counts.
He's now accused of one count each of attempt to commit aggravated sodomy and attempt to commit aggravated sexual battery. Last week's true bill also includes 9 counts of child molestation and 2 counts of sexual exploitation of children.
At the time of his arrest, authorities said Messerlian taught violin at the Oxford Academy of Classical Studies and had been in business for 14 years. A student originally came forward with the allegations against Messerlian.
Last Wednesday's indictment names one victim, while the one filed in 2016 names three. The 2016 true bill was for seven counts of child molestation and 1 count of computer pornography.
According to the latest indictment, the alleged abuse happened on and between January 7, 2011 and 3 different dates in July of 2015. The sexual exploitation of children counts relate to sexually explicit photographic images Messerlian allegedly possessed on August 3, 2015, according to the indictment.
Messerlian's attorney didn't immediately respond to a message for comment on the latest developments.
