New Castle voice coach accused of sexual communication with teen
A New Castle voice coach has been accused of making online sexual advances and requesting nude photos from a 15-year-old student, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
According to a criminal complaint, the student began taking voice lessons from Justin Bryan’s New Castle home in 2019. During the covid-19 pandemic, Bryan obtained the student’s phone number for virtual voice lessons, and then added her on Snapchat, the complaint said.
The student told troopers Bryan made sexually explicit comments to her over Snapchat and during in-person lessons. The complaint said Bryan asked the student for nude photos. The student told police she cut off communication with Bryan in July 2022 because of the “unwanted sexual advances.”
Bryan faces five charges of unlawful contact with a minor and six counts of corruption of minors.
He was unable to post $10,000 bail and is currently being held in the Lawrence County Prison, according to court records. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Thursday before District Judge Richard A. Russo.
Kellen Stepler is a TribLive reporter covering the Allegheny Valley and Burrell school districts and surrounding areas. He joined the Trib in April 2023. He can be reached at kstepler@triblive.com.
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