Civil trial set for former band teacher convicted of sexual assault: Lawsuit filed against former teacher will go to trial July 13, school district agrees to settlement

While the school district agreed to a settlement, attorneys are proceeding with a bench trial against Crowell, who was already convicted of three counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with Doe when she was a minor. He served a two-year sentence. 

The 2024 civil suit was filed in compliance with state law, that went into effect in 2020 and allows survivors of sexual assault the right to bring a claim for damages against their attacker, separate from a criminal case. 

Doe’s attorney Charles Stone said he anticipates a favorable result in the jury trial against Crowell, which is slated for July 13-14 in front of Judge Michael Mau. 

The school district and its attorneys did not respond to requests for comment on the settlement. 

In May 2015, Doe went to the police to report she had a sexual relationship with Crowell when she was 16 years old that took place from July 2008 to February 2009, while she was a student at Mills High School. 

Crowell ultimately took a plea deal in later 2017 and was delivered a two-year jail sentence in February 2018.

Crowell was Doe’s band teacher and took advantage of her interest in music. A close teacher-student bond turned for the worse after Crowell asked Doe to come to his house and while walking her home he kissed her without consent in the summer of 2008.

Around this time, Crowell quit his job at Mills High School and moved to work at a different school because of a separate law enforcement investigation into his alleged inappropriate and sexual relationships with female students.

Crowell continued to coerce Doe into having sex with him and engaging in the relationship throughout the summer of 2008 and following school year, until the relationship ended in 2009. Crowell repeatedly told Doe to not tell anyone about their relationship, and it took years and time with friends and in therapy before she could come forward.