WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren OhioBazetta music teacher accused of seducing teenage students

Bazetta music teacher accused of seducing teenage students

A Bazetta music teacher faces more than 60 charges accusing him of carrying on improper sexual relationships with underage girls.

Joel Ferren, 63, is accused of carrying on the relationships beginning in 1995.

A spokesman for the Cuyahoga county prosecutor's office said Ferren began trying to seduce a 13-year-old who he have violin lessons to by giving her gifts and claiming to have married her when she was 14.

Ferren is accused of engaging in sexual activity with her until she was 18.

The alleged victim came to police with the story earlier this year.

Ferren is also accused of seducing a second victim with stories of having been the youngest cellist to play in an orchestra, receiving his master's degree at the age of 15 and claiming to be French royalty.

He is also charged with carrying a concealed weapon, a loaded .32 pistol that he had in his pocket at the time of his arrest.

He faces 53 counts from 1996 through 2000, and another 8 counts from the period of 2007 to 2008.

The cases have been combined, and Ferren is due to be arraigned on October 2.