Trial For Former Solon Band Director Slated For February

SOLON, OHIO — The trial of a former Solon band director charged with 18 counts of sexual crimes against seven victims has been set for February following a pretrial conference that was held by telephone on Wednesday.

Edward L. Kline was arrested and charged with gross sexual imposition in September, which is a third degree felony. Solon school officials said last month that they had been made aware of Kline’s arrest in relation to inappropriate contact with a student in 2010.

The 50-year-old Kline, who lives in Stow, pleaded not guilty to 18 counts of sexual offenses in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas on Oct. 14. When arrested, Kline was charged with the felony involving the crime against a 12-year-old victim, who, according to reports, allege that the band director had groped the back of her thigh.

A Cuyahoga County grand jury added 16 counts of fourth-degree gross sexual imposition and one count of third-degree sexual imposition. According to the report, prosecutors allege that Kline either groped the breasts or buttocks of some victims which are labeled as Jane Doe 1 through Jane Doe 7 while compelling others to touch his genitals.

The report stated that Kline worked with students between the eighth and 12th grades in Solon from 2004 until when he resigned in 2018. According to a report filed with the Ohio Department of Education, Kline resigned from his position before he could be fired by the district. Kline is scheduled to begin trial on Feb. 22.