COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. - A Collier County high school teacher and band director is behind bars, accused of having a long term sexual relationship with a student.

Gulf Coast High School Band Director Robert Hamburg was arrest late Tuesday afternoon on seven counts of battery for allegedly engaging in sex acts with a girl between the ages of 12 and 15.

We talked with a former student who can't believe the allegations.

"To hear something like this is just shocking. To us, he was just that good of a person, that he was almost like an uncle figure, to where you could go to him with your problems, and he'd be a mentor, not you know, not one of those like a creepy old man as its making him out to seem," said 2004 Gulf Coast graduate Monica Funigiello.

But the 51-year-old Hamberg is behind bars, accused of having a sexual relationship with a female student.

According to sheriff's office reports, Hamberg's relationship with the girl began last December and escalated into the Spring. Reports say the two engaged in touching and oral sex both at the school and at Hamberg's home in the Village Walk community in North Naples.

"I had Hamberg for four years, and its hard very, very hard to believe," said Funigiello. "He was an awesome teacher. He as the one that definitely kept his distance from the students, but if you had a problem, you could always go and talk to him. He would always be there for you, but never crossed that boundary."

But according to arrest report, one teacher became suspicious that boundary was crossed after seeing Hamberg and the girl go into a band dressing room at the high school together several times.

The girl's parents also became suspicious after finding out Hamberg gave her a ride home.

According to the report, both knew their relationship was illegal, and they had even talked about what would happen if they got caught.

One Gulf Coast High parent we talked to says she's saddened by the allegations. "I guess it can happen anywhere," said Sandy Glidden.

"I find it so hard to believe. I mean, you pray that something like this isn't true, and that its not happening, but they obviously had to have sufficient proof to arrest someone," said Funigiello.



We tried to reach parents of band members. Those we talked to told us they had no comment.

At this time, Hamberg is on paid leave.