Former Tennessee High School Band Director Arrested, Facing 8 Charges Of Statutory Rape By Authority Figure

Image Credit: Episcopal School of Baton Rouge & Google Earth

The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –

42-year-old Jordan Tupper, a former band director at Sycamore High School, has been arrested for an alleged sexual relationship with a former student according to the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).

The victim reported the relationship to deputies back in 2021 which is when the official investigation began.

However, the alleged crime is said to have taken place over a decade ago, between August 1^st, 2010, and June 23^rd, 2012. 

According to the arrest document, a woman walked into CCSO on May 28^th, 2021, and reported that Tupper had inappropriate sexual contact with her multiple times when she was a teenager attending Sycamore High.

The victim reported that she was fifteen-years-old and in her sophomore year when she joined the high school band which was under Tupper’s direction in 2010. 

According to the victim Tupper “began grooming her” until after she turned sixteen-years-old in 2011.

It was during the victim’s junior year that she claims Tupper approached her in a “sexual nature” on multiple occasions and in multiple locations like the band room, out-of-town band events and Tupper’s vehicle. 

The victim had saved messages from Tupper on her cellphone according to the arrest document.

After this report was filed, authorities conducted an investigation into Tupper under the allegations that he had engaged in multiple sexual encounters with the victim when she was a minor student.

According to CCSO, a detective presented evidence to a grand jury last Tuesday, September 2^nd, related to “the allegations of the unlawful sexual relationship involving multiple sexual encounters between Mr. Jordan Tupper and the alleged victim.”

The grand jury indicted Tupper on eight counts of statutory rape by an authority figure saying, “Jordan Tupper at the time of the offense was in a position of trust or had supervisory or disciplinary power over [the victim] and used his position of trust or power to accomplish the sexual penetration.”

After the grand jury returned his indictment, Tupper turned himself in at the Cheatham County Jail on Wednesday, September 3^rd.

“The Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that being accused of a crime or facing active charges does not mean someone is guilty,” said Sheriff Tim Binkley. “Every person is legally presumed innocent unless and until a court finds them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”

The Cheatham County School District (CCSD) also released a statement after hearing about Tupper’s arrest.

“Mr. Tupper was employed in our district for six years,” the statement reads. “He taught from 2006-2008 at Sycamore Middle School, 2008-2011 at Sycamore High School and 2013-2014 at Cheatham Middle School.”

The school district’s official statement is that a review of Tupper’s personnel file “shows no disciplinary issues” and that the district is “fully cooperating with the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office in their investigation.”

Tupper has not worked CCSD in what appears to be just over a decade, as he moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana and started teaching at the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge.

“Episcopal School of Baton Rouge has been made aware that Jordan Tupper, a member of our faculty, was indicted out of state in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred over a decade ago. The charges are not connected to the individual’s work at Episcopal,” the school said in a statement to News Channel 2. 

According to the Episcopal school, Tupper has been placed on leave pending the investigation.

“We remain committed to the safety, integrity, and well-being of our students, faculty, and community,” the school continued. “Out of respect for the legal process and the privacy of those involved, we will not be providing further comment.”

According to CCSO, Tupper posted a $50,000 bond within an hour of his arrest on Wednesday. 

He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, September 9^th for his arraignment.

About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee.  You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.