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A Miami-Dade band teacher and violinist has been taken into custody after authorities say he carried on a sexual relationship with one of his students, according to arrest records and sheriff's office officials. Palm Glades Prep Academy Band Teacher Allegedly Having Sex with 15-Year-Old Student.
Heihachiro Nakashima, 33, was arrested Tuesday and faces three counts of lewd and lascivious battery by an authority figure, Miami-Dade jail records show.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office opened its investigation after the alleged victim came forward, telling detectives she had been involved in a sexual relationship with Nakashima earlier this year when she was around 15 years old, according to the arrest warrant.
The teen told investigators Nakashima was her band teacher and that their communication started over text message after he gave her free tickets to one of his orchestra performances, the warrant states.
Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Det. Jesus Llanes spoke to reporters on Wednesday about the tactics investigators say Nakashima used to manipulate the teenager.
"He began grooming the victim by purchasing her numerous items," Llanes said. "He would groom the victim by purchasing her items, making her believe that they were in love and he would provide like an authority figure over her."
According to the warrant, the girl said Nakashima frequently told her he loved her, though she described those statements at the time as platonic. Their first meeting outside of school took place around March, according to the warrant.
The teen told investigators Nakashima picked her up from her home after she told her parents she was spending time with a friend. The two went to his home, where she said they had intimate contact but no sexual activity, according to the warrant.
On a later visit, the warrant says the two engaged in sex acts. The girl told investigators she continued meeting Nakashima at his home and engaging in sexual activity between March and June.
A warrant for Nakashima's arrest was issued on June 15, and he was booked into jail on Tuesday. He appeared before a judge on Wednesday, who set his bond at $45,000 and ordered him fitted with a GPS monitor. The judge also directed him to stay away from the alleged victim.
Nakashima's defense attorney said he has no prior criminal record.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Nakashima has served as music director at Palm Glades Preparatory Academy High School, a charter school in Miami, since August 2024.
Before that role, he worked at Dade Christian School and St. Philip's Episcopal School, his profile states. His online biography also says he has performed with multiple orchestras and in various competitions.
Llanes said investigators are examining whether other students may have been affected, given the access Nakashima had through his position.
"Well, the subject was a teacher and he has access to numerous children, so we just ask the community to speak to your children and give us a call if you have any information," he said.
Llanes urged parents to stay alert to warning signs at home, particularly unexplained gifts or purchases.
"Speak to your children, see if they've come home with numerous items that are, if your children don't have a job and they're coming home with items that basically they don't have the ability to purchase, we ask you to go through their phones, go through their social medias, look at their accounts," he said.
The factual information above was sourced from https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/ as of August 4th, 2026. The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When a band director is accused of grooming or sexually abusing a student, families are often left trying to understand what comes next, both in the criminal justice system and beyond it. Florida attorney Michael Haggard, who has spent years representing families in child sexual abuse cases, walks us through what legal paths exist, how schools and districts can be held accountable, and what steps parents should take to protect their children and understand their rights.
Editor Darla Medina: When a parent learns their child may have been abused by a teacher, what should their first steps be?
Attorney Michael Haggard: The first priority is always the safety and well-being of the child. Parents should make sure the child has access to counseling and medical care if needed, and they should report the allegations to law enforcement right away. Once that's underway, families often benefit from speaking with an attorney who handles these cases, because there are separate criminal and civil paths, and the civil side is something many parents don't realize exists.
Medina: Can you explain the difference between those two paths?
Haggard: Sure. The criminal case is handled by prosecutors, and that's about holding the individual accountable through the justice system, including potential jail time, probation, and sex offender registration. The civil case is separate. That's where a family can pursue a lawsuit against the individual, but often also against the school, the district, or any organization that may have failed to protect the child. Civil cases can address issues such as medical costs, therapy, and long-term damages.
Medina: How often do schools or districts bear responsibility in these situations?
Haggard: It depends heavily on the facts. Courts look at what the school knew or should have known, whether proper background checks were conducted, whether there were prior complaints or red flags that were ignored, and whether policies regarding teacher-student contact were followed or ignored. If a school failed to supervise appropriately or missed warning signs, that can factor into a negligence claim.
Medina: What about the statute of limitations? Is there a time limit for families to act?
Haggard: Florida law has expanded a lot of these windows in recent years, especially for child sexual abuse cases. The timelines can depend on the age of the victim, when the abuse occurred, and other case-specific factors, so it's important for families not to assume they've missed their chance. An attorney can walk them through what applies to their situation.
Medina: For a parent who's overwhelmed right now, what would you want them to know?
Haggard: That they're not alone, and that taking action doesn't have to happen all at once. Report it, get support for your child, and then take the time you need to understand your legal options. Nothing has to be figured out in a single day.
If you or someone you love has experienced abuse at the hands of a teacher, coach, or other trusted authority figure, you don't have to sort through your options alone. The Legal Herald can connect you with an experienced attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation to help you understand your rights and what steps may be available to your family. Reach out to The today to get started.
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