Texarkana band instructor sentenced to 25 years for grooming students

TEXARKANA, Texas ( KETK ) — A Texarkana High School band instructor has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison on Tuesday after coercing students to participate in sexual activities.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Texas said Brandon Neil Sams, 48, pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor while being a band instructor at Texas High School in Texarkana.

Officials said Sams communicated with several students through social media and messaging applications where he persuaded, induced, enticed and coerced them to participate in sexual activity.

Sams allegedly gave his victims gifts such as cell phones, clothes and prepaid credit cards to encourage them to do what he asked of them. After the school’s police department uncovered Sams’ criminal activity, several victims came forwards and said they had been victimized by Sams in the past but had been too afraid to come forward with fear of backlash.

“We expect teachers to protect and keep their students safe from harm, not to abuse their positions of trust to take advantage of them,” U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs said. “Mr. Sams used his access to teenagers to groom them to participate with him in illegal sexual activity. The sentence he received today should serve as a warning to all child predators: we will find you, and you will face justice.”

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