NJ HS Band Director Arrested

A high school band director was arrested Monday on charges he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old female student. Richard Bellamy Jr., 28, of Philadelphia, was charged with sexual assault, official misconduct and child abuse. He was being held on $100,000 bail Tuesday pending a Municipal Court arraignment Thursday.

Bellamy, band director at Pleasantville High School since last September, formerly worked at Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden.

He was charged after the girl's mother told police Saturday that the two had engaged in sexual activity in several hotels and at Bellamy's apartment between January and March, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jeffrey Blitz said.

Bellamy also supplied alcohol to the victim, Blitz said. He was arrested at the police department Monday.

If convicted, he could face more than 20 years on the charges.

Author: 6 ABC-AP