Former student claims sexual assault on campus by band director

Police revealed on Monday that a former West Charlotte student and member of the school’s band is the person who accused director Duncan Carl Gray of sexual assault.

Gray, 58, is charged with two felony counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor. He was arrested early Sunday and later was released from Mecklenburg County Jail with bail set at $50,000. He’s scheduled to make his first court appearance Tuesday morning.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police were notified early last week by detectives from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Police Department that a sexual assault occurred at the school.

The victim told authorities that he was assaulted in the school several years ago when he was a student and a member of the band at West Charlotte High, CMPD said in a statement on Monday.

Based on the student’s account and information gathered, detectives obtained two warrants for Gray’s arrest. The offenses took place between August 2010 and June 2014, according to the arrest warrant issued Sunday.

Consent is not a defense against a charge of taking indecent liberties with a student, according to information released at the news conference Monday by CMPD.

Gray could not be reached for comment Monday.

The investigation is focused solely on the one complaint, Lt. Tom Barry said Monday. He invited anyone who has information about this case or a similar incident to call CMPD Detective S. Sobol at 704-336-2795.

“What we want to do is share with the community, students, parents, community members associated with the school to say now is the time that if you have any information such as witnessing or (being) a potential victim … please come forward and reach out,” Barry said.

In a message to parents, Principal Timisha Barnes-Jones said “a CMPD investigation has resulted in the felony arrest and suspension of the West Charlotte band director.” She said school officials would have counselors at the school on Monday.

Gray was instructor of music and director of bands at Johnson C. Smith University from August 1986 until June 2004, university officials confirmed.

He was hired by CMS as a band teacher in September 2007. He was placed on administrative leave with pay from March 10 to March 28, 2011, according to CMS. Reasons for the 2011 personnel action were not disclosed. He was suspended with pay Monday.

This story was originally published April 18, 2016 at 10:04 AM with the headline "Former student claims sexual assault on campus by band director."