Ohio State marching band coach hit with rape, kidnap charges
COLUMBUS, Ohio - A drum major instructor for Ohio State University's marching band has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman at his home and charged with rape and kidnapping.
Christopher Stewart Kitchen, 28, was arrested Wednesday and is scheduled for arraignment Thursday. Franklin County Municipal Court records didn't list an attorney for him.
Court documents allege Kitchen invited a woman out drinking on April 15, then walked to his Columbus home. The documents say the woman asked Kitchen to take her home but he refused, and went on to sexually assault her in his bedroom.
Kitchen led the band as head drum major in 2006-2007. Local media report he's now a drum major instructor, teaching the leaders of the marching band.
A statement from the university says Kitchen was placed on administrative leave and Ohio State has launched an internal investigation.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, the OSU marching band has come under scrutiny before. In July 2014, band director Jonathan Waters was fired after an investigation revealed that the band had a "sexualized" culture.