Salem School Music Program Volunteer Arrested for Sex Abuse

The suspect volunteered with the music programs at Grant Elementary School and Parrish Middle Schools.

19-year old Darian Seth Laughlin of Salem

(SALEM, Ore.) - Police say a 19-year old Salem/Keizer School District volunteer has been arrested for Sexual Abuse of a minor female Middle School student stemming from an incident at a school function.

Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada, says Darian Seth Laughlin of Salem was arrested for Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and booked into the Marion County Jail on the afternoon of Friday, April 9.

"Salem Police detectives interviewed several people, then arrested Laughlin for the incident that occurred at South Salem High School during a music competition on April 8," Okada said.

"Laughlin has been a volunteer at the Salem/Keizer School District for approximately two months, volunteering with the music programs at Grant Elementary School and Parrish Middle Schools."

The Salem/Keizer School District has seen serious issues in the past in relation to school music programs and sex abuse. Salem-Keizer School District officials were told years before his convictions, that Houck Middle School teacher Joe Billera had a penchant for sexually abusing students.

Rather than investigating or dismissing Billera, the teacher was nominated for the school district and local chamber's 2001 Crystal Apple Award for teaching excellence; the greatest honor for local educators, which he won.

If anyone has had contact with or is aware of situations where Laughlin has engaged in inappropriate comments and/or touching with minors, please contact Salem Police Detective Jeff Staples at 503-588-6050.

Laughlin at this point, has been charged and arrested over this offense. He has not been convicted or proven guilty. In the past, cases of this nature have resulted in charges being dismissed, and others have been found not to be guilty in a court of law. This is not to downplay the seriousness of the charge, but it is wise to consider the impact this type of case has on a suspect's family, and the fact that they may in fact be innocent.

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