Peoria Band Teacher Arrested For Sexual Assault

A Peoria band teacher is charged with criminal sexual assault in connection with an improper relationship he allegedly started with an eighth-grade student that continued through the student's graduation from high school.

The (Peoria) Journal Star reports that authorities arrested 34-year-old Maury R. Beelman on Tuesday.

He's a band teacher with Peoria Public Schools at Roosevelt Magnet School. Peoria Schools Superintendent Grenita Lathan says the district reported the accusations and will continue to cooperate with police.

The Peoria Police Department in a statement said the student and Beelman confirmed the relationship to police during interviews.

It was unclear whether Beelman has an attorney. A phone listing for him could not be found. He's been booked into Peoria County Jail and is awaiting a hearing to determine his bond.