A Miami music director is facing serious felony charges after authorities say he had a months-long sexual relationship with a teenage student earlier this year. Heihachiro Nakashima, 33, was booked on three counts of lewd and lascivious battery by an authority figure. The alleged encounters took place between March and June, when the student was about 15, and happened off campus, according to court documents.
What investigators allege
According to NBC6 South Florida, an arrest warrant states the teen began texting with Nakashima after he gave her complimentary tickets to one of his orchestra performances. Investigators say their first meeting outside school happened in March, when he allegedly picked her up from her home and took her to his house, where they had intimate contact. The warrant further alleges they engaged in sex acts between March and June. It was issued on June 15 and led the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office to open an investigation.
His role at Palm Glades
Professional listings describe Nakashima as the music director at Palm Glades Preparatory Academy High School since August 2024, according to Heihachiro Nakashima. Earlier entries show he previously worked at Dade Christian School and St. Philip's Episcopal School, and his biography highlights performances with several orchestras along with competition appearances. Palm Glades Preparatory Academy is listed on its website as a charter academy in Miami.
Court hearing and conditions
Nakashima appeared in court, where a judge set his bond at $45,000 and ordered him to wear a GPS monitor and have no contact with the alleged victim, according to NBC6 South Florida. His defense attorney told the court Nakashima has no prior criminal record. He was arrested and booked following the issuance of the June 15 warrant. The case is still in its early stages as authorities sort through the evidence.
Legal context
Under Florida law, lewd or lascivious battery involves sexual activity with a person who is 12 or older but younger than 16 and is typically charged as a second-degree felony. State law also includes a separate offense for "offenses against students by authority figures," which defines an authority figure to include school employees and can affect how cases are charged. The provisions cited by prosecutors are detailed in Fla. Stat. §800.04 and §800.101, which are available through the Florida Senate and the Florida Senate.
What's next
The case will move forward in the Miami-Dade court system as prosecutors decide whether to bring additional charges and investigators continue to follow leads. Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the investigation to contact local law enforcement, and the matter remains an active case.
