SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — A former band director for Eisenhower High School in Shelby Township went before a judge Thursday.
Christopher Traskal is scheduled to be arraigned today on one of the four counts against him. The criminal charges come after he was accused of inappropriate interactions with students.
7 Action News spoke to the victim in one of these cases. She says her life has been turned upside down.
"All the kids at school talk," she said.
They say she slept with Traskal, which wasn't the case.
This teen had the courage to tell her mom and then detectives that band director Christopher Traskal was sending her emails. The allegations surfaced back in October when Traskal suddenly retired.
Prosecutors say the emails were explicit in nature.
"I don't believe something like this happens one time," said the mother of the alleged victim.
Investigators tell 7 Action News a woman has come forward to say that in 2009 Traskal befriended her while in middle school.
He faces 1 count using a computer to commit a crime, 1 count child sexual abusive activity, 2 counts criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree. @wxyzdetroit DETAILS: https://t.co/VzRrF7LKE9 https://t.co/yaTyvi69Gl
— Ali Hoxie (@ali_hoxie) December 12, 2019
She says he manipulated her mother into allowing him to spend more time with her. Then in high school, the woman says Traskal took her home and tried to give her alcohol. It is alleged in 2011that he sexually assaulted her.
In this case, Traskal is being charged with two counts of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct.
He also faces one count using a computer to commit a crime and one count child sexual abusive activity.
Both are felonies and both carry up to 20 years in prison.
"If I could say anything to him I wish it hadn't happened," said the alleged victim. "I had a lot of respect for him. And as a band director, I respected everything he did for us. And I can't believe I saw that other side and wish I never would have."
