By Ed Enoch
The Oanow
December 15, 2011
http://www2.oanow.com/news/2011/dec/15/hearing-set-violin-teacher-accused-sex-abuse-ar-2876639/
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| Mario Roberto Urbina |
A Lee County judge has set a January preliminary hearing date for a violin teacher accused of fondling one of his students at an Auburn church in 2010.
Mario Roberto Urbina, 45, of Columbus, Ga., is scheduled to appear before Lee County District Court Judge Russell K. Bush on Jan. 4 to face a charge of first-degree sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old.
Urbina allegedly touched a female student inappropriately during a private violin lesson at Auburn United Methodist Church in May 2010, according to affidavits. The victim, who was 10 years old when the alleged abuse occurred, was interviewed by Auburn police after the incident was reported Oct. 25, according to the documents.
Auburn United Methodist Church representatives could not be reached for comment on Thursday.
During the preliminary hearing, the court will likely determine whether there is probable cause to send the case to a Lee County grand jury, which is scheduled to meet again in late January, according to the Lee County District Attorney’s Office.
Urbina’s attorney, Trip Walton, requested the hearing on Monday.
Urbina, a violinist with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and a former instructor at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center in Auburn, was arrested at his Georgia home on Nov. 23 by police before being extradited to Lee County, where he posted a $50,000 bond the same day. After Urbina’s arrest, the symphony placed him on leave, and the arts center prohibited him from giving further lessons.
Auburn police Capt. Tom Stofer said the investigation of the incident is ongoing.
The charge carries a potential sentence of 20 years in prison.
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