Former Ohio High School Band Director Captured by US Marshals on Sexual Battery Charges

A Trusted Teacher Becomes a Fugitive

A former Northwest High School band director wanted on sexual battery charges was taken into custody Friday at a home in Norton, after his removal from the Stark County school district this summer. The arrest closed a months-long chapter that began quietly — and nearly ended without any charges at all.

Stephen Imler, 29, was arrested at an address in the 4600 block of Hametown Road. He was wanted by the Stark County Sheriff's Office on three counts of sexual battery and two counts of grooming. Imler had been secretly indicted by a Stark County grand jury, which ultimately prompted the arrest.

A Case That Almost Slipped Through the Cracks

Canal Fulton police provided investigators with a case report from January of this year stating that a staff member at Northwest High School was being investigated amid allegations of sexual battery and grooming — but investigators at the time determined those allegations were "unfounded." That conclusion didn't hold for long.

When new information led to the investigation being reopened, Superintendent Shawn Braman said the district immediately placed the former band director on leave. Northwest Local Schools removed its band director from the district amid an active Canal Fulton police investigation into allegations that Braman described as "shocking and upsetting." Police records indicate the alleged offenses occurred between August 18, 2025, and January 16, 2026.

Imler had served as the district's band director and music teacher for six years. He was placed on paid administrative leave on August 18 after Canal Fulton police contacted school officials about an investigation of alleged misconduct involving a student. According to the police report, someone brought allegations of grooming and sexual battery against the band director. He resigned September 2, citing personal reasons.

US Marshals Step In

The arrest was carried out by the agency's Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force. Federal involvement signals how seriously authorities treated the case once the grand jury handed down its secret indictment. Imler's capture on October 23 was one of two major arrests made by the task force that day.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated in a news release, "These two violent offenders were taken off the streets today. Our task force works tirelessly to arrest the most dangerous fugitives, like these, who prey on our communities and citizens."

What Comes Next for the School and Community

With Imler's resignation accepted, Superintendent Braman said he and the high school principal would begin discussing a longer-term plan for the band program. In the interim, a colleague has been working alongside middle school music teacher Kim Good and volunteers to keep the marching band's schedule .

For the Canal Fulton community, the arrest brings a measure of clarity after months of uncertainty. The case illustrates how initial investigations can close prematurely, and how critical it is for school systems and law enforcement to remain open to revisiting allegations when new evidence surfaces. As the legal process moves forward, the Stark County case will test the strength of the grand jury's indictment — and whether justice can be fully delivered for those allegedly harmed.