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Former Band Director Moved to Catoosa County Jail

1,869 views · Published 17 December 2012 · 2:33 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2012 · News & Politics

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by John Madewell  Former Lakeview Middle School band director Thomas Blevins was booked into the Catoosa County jail this morning.The arrest affidavits on four felony counts claim the offenses happened at 416 Cross Street, the address of Lakeview Middle School. Principal Steve McClure said, "..a high school student reported that Mr. Blevins had inappropriate contact with her two years ago. The student was not a Lakeview Middle School student at the time of the incident, but had returned to Mr. Blevins' class after the school day ended."The Catoosa County Sheriff's Office said in a release that the arrest came after a month-long investigation and involved "inappropriate contact with a 14-year-old female."Throughout the day, reaction to the allegations has been mixed on NewsChannel 9's Facebook page. Ben Coffey wrote, "If people want to deal and instruct our youth they should be willing to be put under the microscope and held to a higher standing."Andrea Mercer stood at Blevins' defense, "None of these allegations are true. I still support him and do not believe that he is guilty of any wrong doing."Lakeview  Middle School parent Rhonda Rich offered this on NewsChannel 9's Facebook page. "I have a child at LMS so this a big concern but instead of stating our opinions, good or bad, I think we should pray for all those involved, " Rich said.In addition to responses on NewsChannel 9's page, family and friends of Blevins have started a Facebook page to defend the popular former band director. He was also the assistant band director at Lakeview Fort-Oglethorpe High School.At the middle school this afternoon,  in-person reaction from parents and grandparents picking up children varied. Jim Scarbrough told us as he was leaving with his grandchild, "I wished it would go away but we are glad that he was exposed of course. We just hope everything works out for everyone and that it goes away quickly so that we can heal."Parent Jodi Inman offered this perspective, "I think I might be a little more concerned and ask a few more questions about who they're letting take care of our children on a daily basis."Principal McClure said, "As Lakeview Middle School principal, I am outraged by Mr. Blevins allegations. I will not tolerate any employee engaging in inappropriate behavior with students."In January of 2011, some girls came forward saying Blevins had requested a shoulder rub, told a student they would have to kiss his cheek to get a late pass to class. In a prepared release, McClure said, "The school system investigated this report. The report could not be confirmed by other students or another music instructor in the class. The girls who made the report have remained in the band program at LMS without reporting additional concerns."Meanwhile, Blevins spent the last two nights in the Sequatchie County jail after his arrest on Tuesday evening.  Catoosa County had warrants for aggravated child molestation, two counts of child molestation and one count of false imprisonment of a minor. Those warrants listed an address in Dunlap.Last week, Blevins resigned his position as band director after complaints of inappropriate text messages to two female students. He had been in the position for six years.

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