The leader of an after-school Brooklyn marching band that appeared in an ad for Tommy Hilfiger clothing and performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been charged with assault after police say he duct-taped the mouth of a 9-year-old student.
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Cops say Hughes then left the child with his mouth taped for 30 minutes while continuing band practice.
He allegedly finally ripped off the tape, causing swelling and redness to the kid’s cheeks and a cracked and bloody lip.
Authorities identified the weapon as the duct tape used to shut the boy’s mouth.
Hughes was released following his arraignment Wednesday in Brooklyn Criminal Court.
Devora Kaye, a spokeswoman for the Education Department, called the charges “deeply troubling” and said, ‘Mr. His lawyer insisted Hughes was “one of the good guys”.
A spokesperson for DOE said the volunteer band leader will not be allowed back into any public school.
“You need to talk to my lawyer”, he said and ducked into a waiting livery auto.
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Hughes also served nearly three years in the Marines as a field artillery specialist preparing weapons for battle, the site said. In January, the Daily News reported that Hughes had clashed with IS 292’s interim principal, and that the 60-member band had been denied access to its rehearsal space. His goal was to steer kids away from violence by teaching them music.
