Former NCT band director pleads guilty to sexual misconduct

A former band director pleaded guilty Thursday to a sexual relationship with a student.

Timothy Brightbill, who left Nature Coast Technical after the allegations came to light, faces between nine and 30 years in prison. A judge will make the ultimate decision during a sentencing hearing Aug. 20.

Brightbill's attorney has asked the judge to go lower than the sentencing guidelines; the victim has said she doesn't want Brightbill to go to prison.

Brightbill, 43, was arrested Dec. 31 after he was caught in bed with the victim, who was 17 at the time. He was originally charged with three counts of sexual activity with a minor, but one of those charges was dropped because the victim cannot sufficiently remember the incident to prosecute it, Assistant State Attorney Brian Trehy said.

Trehy has emphasized the teacher/student relationship in court as an argument for prison time.