Bloomfield band director charged in NJ student sex assault case

⚠️ Bloomfield middle and high school band director faces sex crime charges

➡️ Prosecutors said reported abuse of a student began at the age of 13

🔴 Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office tip line

A 37-year-old music teacher and band director at two public schools in Bloomfield has been accused of repeatedly raping a teen victim who was also a former student.

Daniel Burbank, of Monroe Township, has been a teacher and band director at Bloomfield Middle School and assistant band director at Bloomfield High School.

Burbank was arrested on Friday and charged with attempted aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, sexual contact, criminal restraint, endangering the welfare of a child, and luring.

His employment status with the public school district was not immediately known.

Prosecutors say abuse began when student was 13

The victim came forward and spoke with law enforcement on Friday.

Burbank is accused of engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct, starting when the victim was just 13 and a student at Bloomfield Middle School.

The reported sexual abuse continued while the victim attended Bloomfield High School, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II said on Monday.

Burbank is accused of having sex with the teen victim at least 40 times, according to an affidavit filed by investigators.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

Teacher previously worked in Fair Lawn schools

Before working in Bloomfield schools, Burbank spent several years as a music teacher and assistant band director at Fair Lawn High School.

In 2016, he was very popular with the Fair Lawn school community, as a crowd of about a hundred people showed up to support him against the threat of being cut from his then position, as previously reported by Patch.