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Former band teacher pleads guilty to obscenity

A former band director at North Brunswick High School pleaded guilty Tuesday to sending sexually explicit text messages to a female student, authorities said.

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BOLIVIA, N.C. — A former band director at North Brunswick High School pleaded guilty Tuesday to sending sexually explicit text messages to a female student, authorities said.

Mark M. Riel, 38, of Leland, pleaded guilty to two counts of disseminating obscenity. He was sentenced to eight to 10 months in prison, which was suspended to five years on probation, and was ordered to complete 120 hours of community service.

Riel admitted that he had an inappropriate relationship with the girl, authorities said, but both he and the girl said there was never any physical sexual contact.

He has lost his teaching license, and Superior Court Judge Ola Lewis told him he cannot seek reinstatement. The judge also ordered him not to contact the girl.

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