Greensville Schools band director accused of child sex crimes involving former student

GREENSVILLE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A Greensville County Public Schools band director was arrested and is facing child sex charges for incidents that allegedly occurred two decades prior with a former student.

Andre Ellis, a media liaison and band director for Greensville County Public Schools, has been charged with three counts of rape by threat/force and one count of taking indecent liberties with a child by a person in a custodial or supervisory relationship.

According to court records, Ellis's charges are related to two incidents that allegedly occurred in 2005 and 2006. Ellis was arrested on Monday, July 21.

On Oct. 28, 2024, a deputy with the Greensville County Sheriff’s Office responded to the school board office regarding an allegation against a staff member. They then met with Superintendent Kelvin Edwards and Karen Riddick.

Court documents said Riddick received a call from someone who reported a former Greensville County High School student had been sexually assaulted by Ellis during their time as a student.

According to court documents, the former student had started recounting the sexual abuse to their therapist, prompting the alleged crimes to be reported. The accuser told law enforcement they didn't want to hurt Ellis, but believed that he should not be working with children.

The accuser told deputies the first sexual assault occurred when they were 14 years old, after they had stayed behind with Ellis after music practice. Ellis was the drum major coordinator at the time.

They also described a second incident that allegedly occurred at Ellis's home in 2006, when the former student was 15. Three of Ellis's four charges stem from this incident.

Regarding the employment status of Ellis and whether or not an internal investigation was pending, a spokesperson for the school division said Ellis was "not currently in the building."

"As a general rule, we do not comment on specific personnel matters," they added.

Ellis’s next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 20. He is currently being held without bail.