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Two More Victims Lead To New Charges Against Piano Teacher

Aaron Parlier
Bloomington Police
Aaron Parlier, left, in 2008 and again in 2011.

Prosecutors say two more underage victims have stepped forward alleging sexual abuse at the hands of their former piano teacher.

Aaron M. Parlier, 36, of Pekin, was in court Tuesday for a bond-reduction hearing on the original 10 counts of criminal sexual assault. Last week he was indicted on three new counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, alleging misconduct with two new victims—both underage students. The allegations—now from three victims—stretch across many years, beginning as early as 2006 and as recently as January 2015.

More victims and charges are possible, McLean County State’s Attorney Jason Chambers said Tuesday.

“It’s hard for us to have a crystal ball on that, but if that occurs, we’ll be here to address the issue,” Chambers told GLT. “If somebody does have information (about Parlier), they should reach out to the Bloomington Police Department.”

Parlier was arrested in January on the original charges, all related to the same victim. Since then former students and customers have contacted authorities to detail their interactions with Parlier.

One of the three new charges came from a call that came in after the public learned Parlier had been arrested, Chambers said. Bloomington Police confirmed Tuesday on Facebook that "an additional victim was identified through a previous social media post."

Those with information about Parlier are asked to contact Bloomington Detective John Heinlen at (309) 434-2672 or via email.

New Charges

The new charges allege that sometime between January 2013 and 2015, Parlier touched a student’s breast. She was between ages 13 and 16, prosecutors said. Parlier is also accused of touching another student’s thigh between 2006-2008. That student was under age 13.

The new indictments—handed down Feb. 21—are all Class 2 felonies.

Parlier, who has pleaded not guilty, is due back in court April 24. Parlier is being held at the McLean County jail on $1 million bond.

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Ryan Denham is the digital content director for WGLT.