Local News

LENGTHY PRISON TERM LOOMS FOR FORMER BAND DIRECTOR AFTER GUILTY PLEA

(Eaton, OH)--A lengthy prison term is coming for a former band director at Eaton High School after pleading guilty Wednesday to two charges involving inappropriate contact with a student.  49-year-old Paul Bingle admitted to sexual battery and unlawful sexual contact.  In return for the guilty plea, several other charges, including grooming, were dropped.  Judge Martin Votel told Bingle on Wednesday how much prison time he can expect.  "The result would be an aggregate term of 13 years minimum and 17 years maximum," Votel said.  Bingle was arrested in July after conversations he had with a female Eaton student were discovered.  Bingle will also have to register as a Tier 3 sex offender.  He’ll be sentenced next month.