A Gainesville violin teacher has been arrested in the wake of allegations that he molested a student for half a decade.
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday the arrest of 85-year-old Leon Messerlian, the dean of Gainesville’s Oxford Academy of Classical Studies. He is being held at the Hall County jail on charges of child molestation, sexual battery and enticing a child for indecent purposes.
Deputy Nicole Bailes said Messerlian, a Clermont resident, is accused of “utiliz[ing] his business … to have inappropriate sexual contact with a minor.”
The student who made allegations claimed the molestation occurred at the business over a five-year period. Bailes said that, as of Tuesday, no other alleged victims had come forward.
“Messerlian has been in business in Hall County for 14 years so it will take us some time to sort through his books to reach all of his students or parents,” Bailes said. “We are currently conducting interviews with the families that we are aware of.”
Anyone with information about Messerlian is asked to call the Hall County Sheriff’s Office’s criminal investigations division at 770-531-6879.
About the Author
