KELLER, Texas — A former band director for Keller Independent School District is now facing several more child indecency charges after new victims have come forward, Keller police say.
In a series of tweets Wednesday, the Keller Police Department announced it has filed 17 charges against 36-year-old Jedidiah Maus, including 13 counts of indecency with a child, two counts of indecent exposure, indecency with a child sexual contact and an improper relationship between educator and student.
According to court documents, the investigation against Maus began in early September 2021, when Keller police were notified that he allegedly exposed himself to a student in a bathroom at Bear Creek Intermediate School.
On Oct. 8, 2021, Maus was arrested on three counts of indecency with a child from alleged incidents that involved three students at Bear Creek, police said. Maus bonded out of jail days later.
Keller police said since the initial charges, additional victims have come forward by contacting a tip line that was set up after Maus' arrest. The new alleged acts involving Maus span several years.
According to the new arrest affidavit, parents and victims who called the tip line reported incidents as far back as the 2015-2016 school year, and as recent as September 2021.
Several victims reported Maus exposed himself to them while they were in 7th and 8th grades in a student bathroom near the band hall at Keller Middle School, according to documents.
Maus was once again arrested in January 2022, and his next hearing is scheduled for March 9, police said.
Tuesday, March 1, Keller City County recognized the lead investigator of the case, Detective Bethany Todd, for her dedication in bringing Maus to justice.
Todd said the case has now been transitioned to Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office and it will be that department’s case moving forward.
The Keller Police Department also thanked the principal of Bear Creek Intermediate School and the Keller ISD human resources officer for being instrumental to the investigation.
Keller ISD said it "shall continue to fully cooperate with the authorities’ investigation" of the district's former band director.
Maus' attorney Jeffrey D. Boncek also released the following statement concerning the investigation against his client, "Please know that Mr. Maus and counsel have been cooperative with law enforcement throughout the investigation. We think it would be best to respect the judicial process and decline a conversation with the media at this point."
Keller police said the case remains active, and anyone with information is asked to contact the department at 817-743-4600 or crimetips@cityofkeller.com.
“We’d like to thank the victims that had the courage to come forward,” Keller Police Lt. Jared Lemoine said. “If there are victims out there please reach out to us.”