Decorah band director accused of sexually exploiting student

Dustin Harland Bliven

A staff member with Decorah Community Schools has been placed on leave after being accused of sexually exploiting a student over the course of several months. 

A criminal complaint filed against 48-year-old Dustin Harland Bliven of Decorah, who had served as a high school band director, engaged in a pattern of physically touching a student in what court documents described as a sexual nature. A criminal complaint filed against Bliven indicated the alleged offenses took place at Decorah High School between Oct. 1, 2024, and Feb. 15, 2025 — the latter being the date on which Decorah Police became aware of the accusations, according to a statement released Friday. 

“The reporting party provided some evidence that they felt substantiated their concerns,” the Decorah Police Department’s statement said. “Based on this evidence, contact was made with the student and additional corroborating evidence was discovered.”

The police statement went on to say law enforcement then notified the school district and began working with school officials to “isolate the incident” and ensure student safety in order to conduct a proper investigation, according to the police’s statement. Bliven has been charged with sexual exploitation by a school employee — a Class D felony — and was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 11:40 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21. He faces up to five years in prison.

“We take all allegations of misconduct seriously and are fully cooperating with law enforcement,” Decorah Schools said in a statement released Friday. “The staff member has been placed on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The safety and wellbeing of our students remain our top priority, and we will take appropriate action based on the findings.”

Court documents said a no contact order has been requested, prohibiting contact between Bliven and the student.

Investigators said anyone with any information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Decorah Police Department at 563-382-3667.

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Bryer Tarwater
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4 days ago

He was our band teacher in middle school.

Colleen Schwartzkopf
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1 day ago

I can’t believe it! I am a good judgement of character and to me he had high honest character!