Former Robinson Teacher Enters Alford Plea in Sex Solicitation Case

A former band director has pleaded guilty in Fairfax County Circuit Court to soliciting a child online. 

, 43, of Centreville, entered an Alford plea Tuesday to proposing sex to a child under age 15 by computer, according to court records. The Alford plea means Cook maintains his innocence but admits there is enough evidence to convict him.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 4 at 10 a.m.

Cook was arrested on August 31, 2011 and was charged with computer solicitation of a minor. Court records state that Cook was first contacted by an undercover detective in late July. The undercover detective posed as a 14-year-old boy.

According to court records, Cook, through a series of emails and instant messages, asked for a photo and tried to arrange a meeting in Fairfax County.

Cook was brought in to speak with authorities on August 25, 2011. In the interview, police said Cook admitted to being the sole user of the email address associated in the exchanges with the boy.

Cook was hired by the Fairfax County public schools system in 1999. He previously was a music teacher at Carson Middle School in Herndon and Stone Middle School in Centreville. Since his arrest, Cook has been suspended without pay and is not allowed on school property.