Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyer Blog

A San Bernardino County judge recently increased the bail of a former sheriff's deputy accused of having sex with a teenage Explorer volunteer after he allegedly wrote about "revenge" and "payback" on a Facebook page, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Sex crimes in Los Angeles and throughout California can have serious consequences, such as long prison sentences as well as registry in the state and national sex offender databases, which are viewable to all and can last forever. Hiring an experienced and aggressive Los Angeles Sex Crimes Defense Attorney should the first step for someone being investigated for, or charged with, these serious crimes.

According to the news article, the deputy, who was being held on $150,000 bail, had the bail increased by a judge to $350,000 after prosecutors provided a printout of the deputy's Facebook page with the comment.

The Facebook posting, according to prosecutors, appeared on a page in support of the deputy and was discovered by the alleged victim's father. According to the article, the deputy faces charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a child and illegal sexual intercourse with a minor. The deputy has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Authorities allege the deputy had sex with the 15-year-old girl, who was a volunteer with the agency's Explorer program -- which is designed to teach teenagers the responsibilities of law enforcement officers. The program teaches young adults about the mission and objectives of law enforcement, leadership opportunities and community service activities, among other things.

This deputy, like anyone charged with a sex crime in Los Angeles and throughout California, faces serious consequences. Along with possible prison time, the deputy faces the possibility of having to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Unlike other charges, where a person can serve time in prison and get out having done their time, a person convicted of a sex offense is punished for life.

Having to register under Megan's Law means having your mug shot, address, tattoos and other information displayed on a web site forever, having to tell law enforcement whenever you're moving and the possible notification of neighbors is another consequence.

It can be humiliating and it is something a person must live with forever. Even murders aren't treated this way. Yet, people convicted of sex crimes are. There are more than 63,000 registered sex offenders in California and failure to register, even if someone legitimately forgets, can result in a new charge.

Under California Penal Code 261.5, a person convicted of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor faces up to four years in prison. Under California Penal Code 288, a lewd and lascivious act is punishable by up to eight years in prison. Prosecutors may also seek enhanced sentences, depending on the facts of the case.

These charges are very serious and require an aggressive defense that includes scrutinizing all evidence, whether it's DNA reports, police investigations or the alleged victim's words. These cases can be beaten when police jump to conclusions and our firm is committed to exploring all aspects of our clients' cases.

Continue reading "Former Deputy's Bail Increased After Facebook Posting in Los Angeles Sex Case" »

The son of a of former Bermuda leader Ewart Brown recently went on trial. He is in court facing dozens of sexual assault charges in Los Angeles stemming from his medical practice. The prosecutors are making claims that the practitioner sexually assaulted 11 of his patients and an undercover vice officer using the guise of performing breast and pelvic checkups on these patients, according to the Associated Press.

Brown entered a not guilty plea to the more than 30 felony sex count charges. He is on $4 million bail and is currently facing a sentence of life in prison if convicted on all of the charges.

Our Orange County defense attorneys understand that these types of allegations can be devastating to a doctor as they are oftentimes falsified. In this particular case, victims alleged that Brown performed a number of breast or vaginal exams on the patients after they complained about pains pertaining to ankle injuries or the flu. One female patient is even claiming that Brown raped her.

Brown was initially charged back in 2008. Brown's attorneys report that none of his patients reported the claims to any office personnel when they occurred.

Sexual assault can be considered as attacks such as rape or attempted rape or any unwanted sexual contact or threats. Typically a sexual assault happens when someone touches a part of another person's body in a sexual way. This touch can occur through clothes, but must happen without that person's consent. Other types of sex acts that fall under the sexual assault category include forced sexual intercourse (rape), sodomy (oral or anal sexual acts), child molestation, incest, fondling and attempted rape, according to The National Center for Victims of Crimes.

Essentially, prosecutors have great discretion in how they charge a sex crime -- much more so than with many other criminal offenses. And many times, the accusations are falsified. A number of recent studies have concluded that roughly 50 percent of rape accusations are falsified.

After being falsely accused of a sexual crime, many have spent years in prison because their case lacked a significant defense. Aside from jail, these types of allegations can be detrimental and can turn lives upside down. Oftentimes people's careers are ruined and close friends and family are lost forever.

Remember, if you are facing sex crime allegations, you do not have to speak with the police. If you are arrested, you don't have to say anything. Explaining yourself and providing an immediate defense will most likely not improve the situation. In many cases it can make your situation much worse. At this point you are urged to contact a lawyer as you are granted the right to competent legal representation under the U.S. constitution.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Sex Charges: Son of Bermuda's Former Leader Facing 33 Felonies" »

An 81-year-old man was arrested last week after being accused of trying to lure a 12-year-old into his car in the Antelope Valley community of Littlerock, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The suspect, a Pearblossom resident, was taken into custody by sheriff's deputies on felony charges of attempted kidnapping of a child under 14 years old. He was booked and held on $1 million bail for the alleged Los Angeles sex crime.

Our Los Angeles sex crime attorneys understand that the 81-year-old had a history of sex offenses. He was already a registered sex offender in the area. The problem with this is the public perception of these people. Once you've been convicted of such a crime, whether the conviction was justified or not, there will always be a dark cloud looming over you.

Once these types of allegations are made, the public draws conclusions without significant evidence. These types of allegations have the ability to ruin a person's life. For this reason, it is critical for you to contact an experienced sex crime attorney in the wake of these serious allegations.

According to police, the girl was reportedly walking down the road, with her parents a short distance away, when the suspect pulled up next to her and asked if she wanted a ride. Deputy Daryl Bonsall of the Palmdale sheriff's office says that the girl declined and the suspect continued to drive slowly beside her. He sped away when the girl's mother approached to confront the suspect.

The mother reported the man's description to Palmdale sheriff's deputies. Deputies discovered a man who may have fit the description just a short distance away in Pearblossom.

Los Angeles officials took eight more convicted child molesters and registered sex into custody after a Wilmington motel raid. They were apprehended for alleged parole violations, including possession of child pornography or narcotics, reports the Los Angeles Times.

As previously reported on the Los Angeles Sex Crimes Lawyer Blog, most of those who were arrested in the motel bust were middle-aged men whose previous offenses included lewd and lascivious conduct with children or other sex crimes, said Det. Patricia Batts of the Los Angeles Police Department.

The bust went down at Harbor Inn in the 700 block of Flint Avenue. This motel has a reputation for housing offenders because of its history as a state-funded waystation for newly released prisoners, according to Batts said.

Authorities had received reports of children coming in and out the area. No evidence turned up proving those reports.

Officers from the Inglewood, Long Beach, Montebello and Los Angeles police departments, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals, the L.A. County Probation Department and the Department of Children and Family Services took part in the raid.

Continue reading "Officials Nab 9 Already Convicted of Sex Crimes in Los Angeles" »

Text messages from a teacher's assistant at Shadow Hills Intermediate School were located on a cellular phone that belonged to a 13-year-old boy. He was a student at that school. The student's parents supposedly discovered some inappropriate text messages and contacted the local police about the alleged Los Angeles sex crime.

Detectives arrested the teaching assistant under the suspicion of having sex with the students in an empty classroom at the school, according to the LA Now.

The boy was interviewed by investigators and officials say that the boy claimed he and the teaching assistant had sexual intercourse a number of times over the last two weeks at the school.

Our Los Angeles sex crime attorneys understand how devastating these kinds of allegations can be -- for both parents and for a hardworking, loyal school district employee. It is not uncommon for a child to falsify these types of reports. Kids and students have been found to make up these types of stories for attention, for revenge or for acceptance. It is important for you to contact an experienced attorney if you find yourself facing any such charges as a lawyer can help to save your reputation, to protect your rights and to protect your financial well-being.

The teacher's assistant that was accused of these acts was booked by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and is facing four felony counts of lewd acts with a child. She was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

The Sheriff's Office reported that the teacher's assistant had been tutoring the boy before and after school over the last few weeks. According to the neighbors of the teaching assistant, she lives nearby with her husband and four children.

'We entrust our children to teachers and school instructors and in this case that trust was violated,' said Sergeant Brian Hudson of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

If you are facing such allegations, you are urged to contact an attorney experienced in sex crimes cases as early as possible in the process. Talking to investigators without a lawyer present is not a good idea as you may make certain statements that help incriminate you or that conflict with future defense strategy. It's understood that you would want to explain your innocence in these scenarios, but it's best to just remain quiet and let an attorney help to take the best course of action.

An attorney can help you to avoid undeserving ramifications of a sex-offender conviction.

Defending yourself and your reputation may be most important when you're a teacher and you're held in the public eye. In all such cases, you need someone who understands the court system, can recognize weak cases and knows how to disprove them.

Continue reading "Teacher's Assistant Charges with Sex Crime in Los Angeles" »

A man who posed as a 17-year-old boy online was recently sentenced to 20 years in federal prison in Los Angeles after he convinced several young girls to perform sex acts during online video chats.

The high school dean convicted of the Los Angeles sex crime was ordered to pay almost $3,000 in restitution to one of the victims, according to Mercury News.

The defendant pleaded guilty in December to the federal charges of using the Internet to induce a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and producing child pornography.

Our Pasadena sex crime attorneys understand that the top priority of anyone facing these allegations is to acquire a strong defense team to save your reputation and to fight for your rights. Defending yourself in court is oftentimes not strong enough. Defending your reputation and fighting for your rights when it comes to terms of probation and the requirements of sex offender registration can be equally critical. If you are facing arrest or investigation, you are urged to seek the immediate advice of a qualified lawyer.

According to court records, the man created a false MySpace profile and used it to disguise himself as a 17-year-old boy named "Jamie." He then enticed girls to engage in sexual acts during webcam chats and uploaded the videos online.

The increasing popularity and efficiency of the Internet has led to a rise in such charges. These charges are all too often misfiled. There have been a number of documented cases of file-sharing networks and computer viruses that are found responsible for the presence of such illicit images and videos. In many cases, when child porn or any other type of pornography is found on a computer, it may be someone other than the computer's owner responsible for the images or videos. Shared networks run a high risk of unknown file transfer as well.

In all cases it is critical to contact an attorney experienced in sex crimes as early as possible in the process. Speaking to investigators without an attorney present is not in your best interest. Too often, defendants will attempt to talk themselves out of trouble. The embarrassment of facing sex crime charges may also give police leverage in encouraging defendants to talk when it would be in their best interest to remain silent until first speaking to a qualified criminal defense attorney. Even in cases where a defendant is offered probation, or other desirable sentencing option, the devil is often in the details. The terms of probation and the long-term ramifications of sex-offender registration must also be considered.

Continue reading "Man Sentenced for Posing as 17-year-old Boy in Los Angeles Sex Crime" »

The Los Angeles Police Department is currently seeking information pertaining to a man that has been accused of molesting a developmentally disabled child, according to the Los Angeles Times. The accused molester is a 29-year-old Wellspring employee who has been working in that same facility for more than three years. He has no prior criminal record and is now facing the devastating allegations of a sex crime in San Fernando Valley.

He specializes in working with children who have autism at Wellspring.

Our Los Angeles sex crime attorneys understand that allegations can be devastating to anyone, especially someone who works with and helps kids on a daily basis. We also understand that children have been known to come forth with false allegations for a number of reasons.

Police placed the young educator under arrest after an autistic child came forward and accused the man of molesting him. He is currently facing 11 counts of committing a lewd act upon a child and 3 counts of oral copulation of a person under the age of 14, according to the LAPD.

The accused man has been working with children for many years now, previously working with developmentally disabled children at the YMCA in La Cañada Flintridge and also as a special educations trainee at Van Nuys.

He is now in jail on a $1.4 million bail. Authorities believe the crimes happened between March of 2008 and March of 2011, according to Sherman Oaks Patch.

Defending against child molestation accusations requires knowledge of both child sexual abusers and of those who make false allegations. Careful planning, investigation and an aggressive approach is necessary for a successful defense. It is critical to immediately contact an attorney when facing such charges as these allegations can negatively affect every aspect of one's life. We understand that false accusations are made every day and it is our duty to help fight for the rights of our clients.

Continue reading "Wellspring Employee Faces Molestation Charges in San Fernando Valley" »

A 36-year-old accused of committing a sex crime is facing a pre-trial hearing next month. The twist? He married the alleged victim in the statutory rape case after being accused of luring her into a sexual relationship when she was 14 years old, according to MSNBC.

The photographer, who is known for work that has appeared on the covers of fitness and fashion magazines, reportedly married the young Laguna Hills woman earlier this year. The marriage supposedly happened just three months after the bride turned 18, according to The Los Angeles Times. The name of the woman is not being released because she is a possible victim of a California sex crime.

A Los Angeles sex crimes defense attorney should be contacted immediately after the accusations of a potential sex crime. Sex crimes, including sexual assault, child molestation or rape, are some of the most serious charges under the law. The anguish and embarrassment surrounding such charges too often prevents a defendant from mounting an aggressive defense. And the consequences of a conviction can last a lifetime.

"The bottom line is ... it's almost irrelevant that he married her, as she was under-age when they (allegedly) had sex," said Laurie Levenson, professor of law and director of the Center for Ethical Advocacy at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.

The case took a turn after the victim and the alleged sex offender married. The former fiance of the accused was also reportedly involved in the alleged sex crime. The victim's current wife, and prosecuting party in the case, has dropped all charges.

Still, prosecutors say they have enough evidence to proceed with the trial. The photographer, who refers to himself as the "King of Covers" pleaded not guilty. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of the six felonies, including unlawful sexual intercourse and lewd acts on a child.

The case underscores the unusual challenge prosecutors face if alleged victims and perpetrators get married, report The LA Times. The victim will likely assert spousal privilege in an effort to avoid testifying, either voluntarily or at the demand of the prosecution.

The defendant is due in court for a pre-trial hearing in May, according to Mercury News.

Continue reading "Man Faces His Wife in Los Angeles Sex Crime Case" »

Investigators said they found a high school faculty member with a 15-year-old boy he met on Craigslist for sex. Officials found the orchestra instructor in his car with the boy around 11:52 p.m. after receiving reports to a suspicious vehicle parked in a field in the 4800 block of Clark Road.

The faculty member was arrested and charged with online solicitation of a minor --the boy was later returned to his parents. The man was being held in jail on a $100,000 bond. After obtaining a search warrant for the house of the alleged sex offender, authorities seized a computer, an iPad and a cell phone that will all be examined for possible evidence.

Our Pasadena sex crime attorneys understand the severity behind such allegations and urge you to contact an attorney before making a statement with officials. Often, defendants are likely to make incriminating statements in the absence of an experienced lawyer. You are urged not to settle for a quick plea bargain -- which will never eliminate the cloud of suspicion and could have consequences like sex-offender registration. Being forced to register as a sex offender could follow you for life.

The instructor resigned the day after his arrest and Pasadena ISD officials say letters and phone calls have gone out to parents of students involved in the orchestra program at the school. The instructor may face additional penalties and charges depending on the examination result of the seized property.

If convicted, the school faculty member could face a fine of up to $10,000 and 2 to 20 years in prison.

Defending against child molestation requires knowledge of both child sexual abusers and of those who make false allegations. Careful investigation, planning and an aggressive approach is necessary for a successful defense.

Continue reading "High School Faculty Member Faces Charges of Child Molestation in Pasadena" »

A 24-year-old Arizona resident was arrested on suspicion of molesting a 13-year-old boy over a five-month period. He was sent to the Los Angeles County Jail and is being held on a $1 million bail. He is currently facing charges of child molestation in Los Angeles as the acts were reportedly committed before he returned to his parent's house in Gilbert, according to the Glendora Patch.

Our Pasadena sex crime attorneys would like you to understand how serious these types of cases are as the only proof may be statements from the defendant or victim. If you find yourself in a similar situation, is is strongly recommended that you consult an attorney before speaking with police.

Later, police reportedly located several images of child pornography on the computers owned by the 24-year-old man. The suspect could be facing even more charges. His Los Angeles sex crime arraignment hearing will be held at the Pomona Superior Court for April 21st.

After the initial allegations, police wrote up a search warrant for the suspect's residence in Gilbert. It was incriminating statements the defendant allegedly made to authorities that caused them to seize his computer and, later, find child pornography. An experienced attorney will work to challenge the admissibility of the alleged statements, which could also prevent evidence seized during execution of the search warrant from being used in court.

Sexual charges, of any nature, must be aggressively defended. It is important not to be intimidated by law enforcement, which may offer a plea deal in exchange for a quick guilty plea. Plea agreements usually involve lifetime registration as a sex offender. Registration will forever limit your ability to find work, housing or to support your family.

Unfortunately, a molestation allegation is enough to cause extreme embarrassment to the defendant and law enforcement will often use this to get a statement. We recommend that a defendant make absolutely no statements until consulting with an experienced attorney. While it's unlikely you will talk your way out of charges, it is extremely possible you could say or do something that could conflict with a future defense strategy. Remember, you have the right to remain silent.

Continue reading "Incriminating Statements Leads to Child Porn in Los Angeles" »

A former high school principal and volleyball coach was sentenced to eight years in prison on sex charges in Los Angeles, according to Wave Newspapers.

The 41-year-old former principal of Firebaugh High School was sentenced by a Compton Superior Court Judge. ABC7 News reported he pleaded no contest to 10 counts of lewd acts on children who were 14 or 15 years old. He was convicted of molesting the children between 1996 and 2007, according to a deputy district attorney.

This is one of those cases where alleged victims began surfacing with alarming regularity after the allegations were made public. One of the jobs of an Orange County criminal defense lawyer in such cases is to keep prosecutors from piling on charges and to keep a client from pleading guilty to something that cannot be proven. In this case, a number of allegations were dropped because the statutes of limitation had expired.

Court documents reveal the defendant was principal at Firebaugh from 2005 to 2009, where three of the victims were students. Several of the girls made statements in court. One victim said she made allegations against the defendant in 1995, while he worked at a Catholic school in Los Angeles.

The eight-year sentence was also the maximum the defendant could receive under a plea bargain worked out with prosecutors. Three of the four victims played on volleyball teams he coached. He resigned as principal of Firebaugh before leaving for the Philippines in May 2009. He was arrested at LAX upon returning that July.

Continue reading "Former Principal and volleyball coach sentenced to 8 years in L.A. sex case" »

An Army veteran who read to children for Veteran's Day was arrested after authorities found out he was a registered sex offender, UPI reported.

Our Orange County criminal defense attorneys understand the long-term consequences being charged with a sex crime can have for a defendant. More than many other types of criminal offenses, a defendant continues to pay for a sex-crime conviction long after the fact. The stipulations of sex-offender notification alone may virtually guarantee that a convicted offender runs afoul of the law. Or at the very least, is subjected to the stigma of having been convicted of a sex offense for years, or even decades after the fact.

In this case, the 56-year-old retired army major was arrested by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office on suspicion of entering school grounds as a registered sex offender. He had gone to Los Altos Elementary to read at the school's "heroes day" in honor of Veteran's Day. The Los Angeles Times reported the veteran was convicted in San Diego County in 2000 for attempted lewd acts on a child under the age of 14.

Deputies investigated and made the arrest long after the November visit. In fact the investigation was opened after they heard of the event last week.

Continue reading "Military Veteran charged as a sex offender for reading to school kids on Veteran's Day" »