Music minister arraigned on statutory rape charges
August 26, 2011 – Stephen B. Lindberg of Marstons Mills was arrested and arraigned on charges stemming from a Barnstable Police investigation into a past sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl.
Lindberg, 54, was charged with 10 counts of statutory rape, one count of indecent assault and battery, one count of child enticement, two counts of indecent exposure and one count of violation of a protective order. Lindberg pleaded not guilty in Barnstable District Court and was being held on $10,000 bail.
According to a press statement from the department, Barnstable police started its investigation into the alleged assaults Aug. 8. Lindberg had served as the girl’s vocal and performance coach since 2007. The alleged assault started in late 2010, according to the police, when the girl was 14, and continued through the end of June.
Lindberg served as music minister at Unity of Cape Cod on Walton Avenue in Hyannis. The church’s board of trustees issued the following statement Aug. 23:
“The Board of Trustees of Unity on Cape Cod is shocked and saddened to learn of the charges brought against music director, Steve Lindberg. Based on these charges, the board has voted to terminate his contract, effective immediately. The safety of the congregation and the wider community are our highest priority. While the police assure us that, thus far in their investigation, none of the charges against Mr. Lindberg stem from activities taking place in the church, the board feels that the serious nature of the charges warrant immediate termination.”