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

A Santa Paula elementary school counselor who is currently an assistant principal in Los Angeles was arrested on serious charges of child molestation. David Lane Braff Jr., a 42-year-old Thousand Oaks resident, is charged with 17 felonies related to the alleged years-long abuse of eight students, some of whom were as young as six.

Braff worked as a counselor at the Santa Paula elementary school from 2015 to 2019, when the alleged upsetting events took place. The seriousness of the accusations has resulted in his arrest, even though he is currently the assistant principal at Ingenium Charter Middle School in Winnetka.

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,”

Nasarenko called on anyone with more details about the case to come forward. Given Braff’s background working with children and possible affiliation with other Southern California schools or youth organizations, he underlined the ongoing nature of the investigation.

According to the indictment, Braff preyed on weaker victims by using his position of authority in a calculated and intentional manner. The Santa Paula Police Department and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office started working together on the investigation last month.

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.