This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A Washington County music teacher accused of groping 10-year-old students in his violin class pleaded no contest to charges and was sentenced to jail on Tuesday.
Lynn Richard Lundstrom, 63, of Hurricane, pleaded no contest to three charges of class A misdemeanor lewdness involving a child. Lundstrom was originally facing four charges of first-degree felony sexual abuse of a child, accused of grabbing the buttocks of several of his students — all of whom were under the age of 14.
Fifth District Judge Eric Ludlow sentenced Lundstrom to spend 30 days in the Washington County jail for the crimes, along with 24 months probation. He was also ordered to have no contact with the victims or their families, and must undergo a psychosexual evaluation.
According to charging documents, four children — three girls and a boy — reported to police that their teacher touched them inappropriately, sometimes in front of other students.
One child, 10, said Lundstrom stood behind her and touched her buttocks and thighs on a daily basis when she would play solo parts in Lundstrom's violin class. The girl "stated that she would try to sit down to get away, but he would tell her she has to play while standing," police wrote in charging documents.
Another girl, also 10, said that when she tried to move away from Lundstrom's grasp, he "grabbed her harder and would not let her out of his reach," according to charges.
In one instance, he put his hands on her hips and pulled her close enough that she could feel his penis through clothing, charges state. The girl's grandmother told police the girl does not want to play violin anymore because of the touching.
The girl also told investigators she saw Lundstrom grope a boy during class. The boy said Lundstrom grabbed his buttocks and thighs "like how you would grab a football," according to charges.
Yet another girl reported she was similarly groped.