North Salem Band Teacher Arrested on Sexual Abuse Charges

Ivan Hallstead and North Salem High School

After West Salem High School assistant girls’ basketball coach Emrance Berger was convicted last month for sexually assaulting a female student, Salem Keizer School District is dealing with yet another sexual abuse case involving one of its contract employees.

A 24 year-old part-time marching band teacher at North Salem High School, Ivan Hallstead, was arrested for texting a student and allegedly trying to coerce the student into sex.

According to the Statesman-Journal‘s Joce DeWitt, “[Hallstead] was taken to the Marion County jail by the sheriff’s office on two felony charges: Luring a minor and online sexual corruption of a minor. ”

According to a report by the Sheriff’s office, Hallstead posted bail on Saturday.Norfolk

The Statesman Journal’s most recent update stated that the Salem-Keizer School District has banned Hallstead from working at schools in their district. Hallstead  also taught band students at Stephens and Houck Middle Schools.

This is not the first time a North Salem High School band teacher has been accused of sexual abuse of students. In 2005, former Houck Middle School band teacher and assistant band instructor for North Salem’s marching band, Joe Billera, was convicted of 10 sexual abuse charges against four girls and sentenced to Two Rivers Correctional Facility.  He is scheduled to be released in 2016.

We advocate for survivors of sexual abuse and help them get justice for the abuse they have endured.  If you have been abused by a teacher or coach and want to speak with us confidentially, please call us at 503-306-0224 or email us at info@oandc.com.