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West Aurora band director pleads ‘not guilty’ to sex charges

West Aurora High School band director Stephen Orland pleaded “not guilty” Friday to charges that he sexually abused and assaulted students.

About 30 supporters attended his arraignment before Kane County Associate Judge Allen Anderson at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles. Orland is free on $10,000 bond.

His next court date is 9 a.m. Sept. 23.

Orland faces three counts of criminal sexual assault, a charge punishable by four to 15 years in prison. If convicted, he would have to serve at least 85 percent of the sentence. If convicted of more than one count, he would have to serve the sentences consecutively.

He also faces 13 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Punishment for that is three to seven years in prison. The sentences could be served concurrently, and he would be eligible for probation.

Orland also faces 11 counts of misdemeanor battery. That’s punishable by up to one year in the county jail, can be served concurrently, and probation is an option.

Orland, 42, of the 2700 block of Bauer Road in North Aurora, was arrested in May.

He is accused of abusing his position of authority and trust by having sexual encounters and sexual contact with two students from October 2010 through April 2011, in the band room and a storage room at the school and in his car after a band concert in December.

If convicted, he would have to register as a sex offender.

Orland is on paid administrative leave from the school.