By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – The lawyer for a local piano teacher accused of child molestation says his client is not a serial rapist, nor is he a flight risk if he’s released on bond.
Attorney Kevin Sanborn is suspicious about the way authorities have introduced the case against Aaron Parlier to the public.
Sanborn said Parlier has known about the allegations since December, and offered to surrender if prosecutors filed charges against him. Instead, Sanborn said authorities obtained an arrest warrant, then issued a news release informing the public that police were looking for him.
“They issue a search warrant without telling us on Friday, but don’t tell us anything about it until Monday or Tuesday when we could arrange our client to surrender on that,” said Sanborn.
“While they’re looking for him, they issue their case in the press,” he added.
Parlier is being held on $1 million bond for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Bloomington over a four-year period ending in 2013.
Investigators think there might be other alleged victims, and they’re asking Parlier’s piano students to contact police.
Sanborn is requesting a hearing to reduce Parlier’s bond. Sanborn noted Parlier has not fled the community even while knowing police were investigating him.
“He hasn’t left the state. He hasn’t left the country. He’s been around the area this entire time,” Sanborn said.
“He’s a lifelong resident and he deserves his day in court.”
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].
