Crime & Safety

Former VMHS Band Coach Pleads Not Guilty to Molestation Charges

Garrett Bayly Karlin, 24, could face jail time and fines if convicted of the misdemeanor charges, which authorities say stem from his contact with a member of Vista Murrieta High School band.

A former Vista Murrieta High School band instructor accused of making sexual overtures to a 15-year-old student and showing him pornography pleaded not guilty Thursday to three counts of annoying and molesting a minor.

Garrett Bayly Karlin, 24, could face jail time and fines if convicted of the misdemeanor charges, which authorities say stem from his contact with a member of the high school band.

Karlin remains free on $3,500 bail. A trial-setting conference is scheduled in the case for March 25.

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According to Murrieta police, Karlin developed a relationship with a Vista Murrieta High School band member last year when he began teaching him music one-on-one.

Karlin had met the student while working part-time for the Murrieta Valley Unified School District as a summer band camp coach, a position he no longer holds.

Find out what's happening in Murrietawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

During private encounters with the youth, Karlin allegedly made inappropriate suggestions and showed him sexually explicit material, police said.

The alleged incidents came to light in November, leading to an investigation that culminated in Karlin's arrest on Nov. 20 at his Rovendale Court home.

—City News Service


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