Former Band Director Makes First Court Appearance

A Former Nature Coast Technical High School band director faces the prospect of trial next month.

Timothy Brightbill, charged with having unlawful sexual contact with a 17-year-old female student, was arraigned Tuesday in county circuit court. A public defender entered an initial plea of not guilty and filed for discovery to give his attorney a chance to see the state's evidence.

Brightbill's pretrial is set for Feb. 27. He plans to hire private counsel, public defender Mike Amico said Tuesday.

Brightbill, 42, was arrested on New Year's Eve after the mother of the student caught Brightbill on top of the girl in her room, authorities say. Both were clad only in their underwear.

Both Brightbill and the girl admitted to performing sex acts on one another that day and another last November at Brightbill's home in Spring Hill, according to an arrest affidavit.

Brightbill resigned but still faces an investigation by the state Department of Education that could result in the revocation of his teaching certificate.