Ohio State drum major instructor accused of rape, kidnapping

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A drum major instructor for Ohio State University’s marching band who is accused of sexually assaulting a woman at his home was arraigned Thursday on rape and kidnapping charges.

Stewart Kitchen, 28, was arrested Wednesday. He did not enter a plea at his arraignment and was expected to be released after his bond of about $50,000 was posted.

Franklin County Municipal Court records under his full name, Christopher S. Kitchen, didn’t list an attorney for him. No public defender has been assigned to the case.

Court documents allege Kitchen and a woman went out drinking April 15, then walked to his Columbus home. The woman reported that Kitchen refused to return her to her home and sexually assaulted her in his bedroom as she tried to escape and told him to stop, an investigator said in an affidavit filed in court.

The Associated Press doesn’t typically identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted.

Kitchen led the band as head drum major in 2006-07 and is now a drum major instructor, teaching the leaders of the marching band.

He was placed on paid administrative leave after Ohio State learned about the allegations from police a week ago, the university said in a statement. The university also said it launched an internal investigation and is cooperating with law enforcement officials investigating the case.

It comes less than a year after Ohio State fired the band’s director after an internal investigation said he knew about but failed to stop a “sexualized culture” of raunchy, profane and suggestive traditions within the celebrated marching band and mishandled sexual discrimination allegations.

Jonathan Waters, an alumnus who became director in 2012, has challenged the review’s findings and filed a civil rights lawsuit seeking reinstatement and damages. Waters has argued that he encountered traditions that had gone on for years and that he made efforts to change the band’s culture.

A hearing for Kitchen is scheduled for May 8.