A Fairfax District Court judge granted bond to a school band director accused of soliciting oral sex from a minor over the Internet.
Police arrested Michael Cook, 43, on August 31. Cook overseas part of the music program at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax County, Va.
Charging papers stated the educator engaged in instant message and email exchanges with someone he thought to be a 14-year-old boy and Robinson student over the course of several days. The Internet correspondence was actually a police sting, according to documents. Cook sent a photo of himself and discussed meeting the officer posing as the 14-year-old at a specific time and location, according to a search warrant affidavit.
Cook was apprehended at his home in Centreville.
Cook has no criminal record, and police found no hard copies nor photos in his home, his attorneys said.
The judge on Tuesday morning set several conditions for Cook's bond. He may not make contact with anyone under the age of 18 and he must shut off his internet service.
Robinson Secondary School, which opened today, placed Cook on unpaid administrative leave while it conducts its own investigation.
According to the school website, Cook received a graduate degree in conducting, conducts the school's marching and symphonic bands at the school, and has led three student music tours to Europe. According to the site, he also plays tuba in the Fairfax Wind Symphony.
Bond was set at $10,000 Tuesday morning.
