ROCKVILLE, Md. – A music teacher who taught in Montgomery County Public Schools for nearly 30 years was ordered held without bond Friday on charges that he sexually abused 15 of his students.
Lawrence (Larry) Joynes is accused of abusing 14 girls as young as kindergartners at New Hampshire Estates Elementary School between 2005 and his arrest last winter. He is also accused of having a sexual relationship with a student at Eastern Middle School between 1991 and 1993. She was in 7th and 8th grade at the time.
District Court Judge Eugene Wolfe said he considered Joynes a flight risk while explaining his decision to continue holding Joynes before trial. “I think you’re a danger,” Wolfe said.
Joynes appeared over a video link. He wore a long sleeve white shirt with what looked like a blue jumpsuit over it with most of the buttons undone.
Joynes was brought to Montgomery County this week after admitting to child pornography charges in Baltimore County. Police found the images that led to the wider investigation during a search of his Dundalk home.
The Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office describes the investigation as “ongoing,” and urges anyone else who may be a victim or know more about the case to contact Montgomery County Police.
Joynes first started teaching music in Montgomery County in 1985.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 7.
Related Story:
Follow @WTOP on Twitter and on Facebook.
