A 26-year-old man who worked as a teacher’s aide at Gratts Learning Academy and as a coach at the L.A. Academy of Arts and Enterprise, both at the Westlake District, has been arrested on charges of committing lewd acts with a child. According to a CBS News report, the man was arrested and bail was set at $100,000. The age of the alleged victim and the circumstances of the incident have not yet been released. The aide has been fired by the Los Angeles Unified School District. It is not clear if there were other children involved.
According to California Penal Code Section 488 (a), a lewd or lascivious act against a child under 14 is defined as any act that is performed “with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust, passions or sexual desires of that person or the child.” Lewd act against a child is a felony crime in California, punishable by imprisonment in state prison for up to eight years. Additional counts could result in a lengthier prison sentence. In addition, convicted individuals will also be required to register with the U.S. Department of Justice’s sex offender database.
As seen in this case, even the accusation of a sex crime can have serious consequences on an individual’s career and future. This is particularly true if the person is working with or around children. If you have been accused of a sex crime against a child, it is critical that you obtain quality legal representation to fight the charges and clear your reputation.
The experienced lewd conduct defense attorneys in Los Angeles County at Sitkoff & Hanrahan have successfully represented individuals who have been accused of sex crimes against children. We have a track record of obtaining acquittals and getting charges reduced for clients facing these types of serious charges. If you have been accused of lewd conduct in Los Angeles, please contact us at (866) 430-8383 for a free consultation.