Christopher “Stewart” Kitchen in a staff photograph.
Credit: OSU Marching Band
An Ohio State marching band drum major instructor who was arrested Wednesday for two first-degree felony charges is set to appear in court next week.
Christopher “Stewart” Kitchen was arrested on Wednesday on charges of kidnapping and rape, according to Franklin County Municipal Court online records. The offense occurred on April 16, the records stated.
Kitchen, 28, had an arraignment Thursday morning and is set to have a preliminary hearing May 8 at the Franklin County Municipal Court.
Kitchen’s bond was set at $50,085. The court records stated that a bail transaction has been completed as of Thursday.
Kitchen also faces a $150,000 fee if he does not show up to court for his preliminary hearing on May 8. Kitchen was told to stay away from the primary witness and to avoid further acts of violence as conditions of the bond, the records stated.
OSU has placed Kitchen on administrative leave and has launched “its own internal investigation in accordance with university policy,” the university said in an emailed statement Wednesday evening.
“The university is deeply concerned to learn of criminal allegations against one of our employees of kidnapping and sexual assault,” the statement said. “He was taken into custody today (Wednesday) by law enforcement officials, and we will continue to assist them in their efforts. Since this is an ongoing law enforcement investigation, the university is limited in its ability to provide additional comment at this time.”
Clarification: May 1, 2015
In addition to his job as the marching band drum major instructor, Kitchen was also listed as a lecturer in the School of Music in the university FindPeople database. His name has since been removed.
