Los Angeles assistant principal arrested for allegedly molesting 8 elementary students that went on for years

David Lane Braff Jr., 42, a former school counselor and assistant principal in Los Angeles County in Southern California, is charged with the serious offense of molesting eight elementary schoolchildren. He has 17 counts of felony charges of the alleged molestation, which was allegedly committed while he was working as a counselor at McKevett Elementary School in Santa Paula. Braff was also an assistant principal in the Los Angeles area.

Facts of the Case

Braff faces 17 counts of felony lewd acts on a child younger than 14 by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. The acts, the charges state, occurred in an office at McKevett Elementary School and involved students who were six and 10 years old.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko expressed deep concern, stating, “The defendant is alleged to have molested multiple elementary school children over a number of years, shattering the trust placed in him by parents, educators, and the public,”

DA Nasarenko urged the public to share any relevant information about the case. He emphasized that the investigation remains active, particularly in light of Braff’s history of working with children and potential connections to other youth-oriented organizations or schools in Southern California.

Braff has a hefty $3 million bail and is currently being held in Ventura County jail. The date of his arraignment is set for Monday.

A Pattern of Alleged Misconduct in Southern California Schools

This case is part of a disturbing string of sexual misconduct reported in Southern California schools. Other recent cases include:

El Monte Union High School District: Nine women sued the district for negligence after it failed to protect them from reputed sexual abuse by teachers.

YULA High School (Los Angeles): Julie Elizabeth Tichon, age 37, a YULA High School West Los Angeles guidance counselor, was arrested in September, 2024 for sexual battery on one 16-year-old male minor.

Orthodox High School of Los Angeles: In May, 2024 two teenagers had accused one teacher of having an “inappropriate relationship of a sexual nature.”

Other Concerns Affecting LAUSD

In addition to these disgusting charges of sexual indiscretions, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is additionally plagued with numerous issues:

• Allegations of Fraud: Some LAUSD teachers allegedly have been instructed they must lie on the job.
• AI Chatbot Scandal: LAUSD’s AI application “Ed” developed by AllHere has been surrounded in controversy after its company founder Joanna Smith-Griffin was charged with fraud for allegedly swindling investors.
• District Elections: There was a 2024 election for a west San Fernando Valley seat on the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education rife with scandals.
• Redistricting: A charter amendment seeks to prevent political appointments to the LAUSD redistricting commission and encourage community members to apply.

The larger context is one of a disturbing trend of purported impropriety in Southern California schools. The allegations are serious and implicate the matters of student safety and school district duty to make children safe from harm.