An assistant principal at Ingenium Charter Middle School in Los Angeles, David Lane Braff Jr., was arrested this morning on multiple counts of alleged child molestation, the Ventura County District Attorney's Office has announced. Braff, 42, is facing 17 felony counts of lewd acts with a child under 14. He is set to be arraigned on Monday, November 25, in courtroom 13 of Ventura County Superior Court. The press release released by the Ventura County District Attorney's Office cites special allegations that Braff's crimes involved multiple victims and significant planning, indicating a breach of the trust inherent in his role.
According to details provided in the press statement, these incidents are said to have taken place from 2015 through 2019 while Braff worked as a school counselor at McKevett Elementary School in Santa Paula, apparently targeting children between six and ten years old. District Attorney Erik Nasarenko stated in the release, "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." Efforts to steadfastly prosecute and encourage others to come forward with information are currently ongoing.
Braff's employment history is not fully known at this time, but authorities believe he may have worked at additional schools within Southern California and possibly been involved with youth organizations. His bail has been set at $3 million, and he remains in custody at Ventura County Jail, as reported by the Ventura County District Attorney's Office. Those who believe they might have been victimized by Braff or have observed any suspicious conduct are urged to contact Ventura County District Attorney Investigator Greg Webb at (805) 477-1627, regardless of whether the conduct occurred within or outside Ventura County.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Brent Nibecker, specializing in sexual assault cases, is the lead prosecutor for this case. The District Attorney's Office, with its investigators and prosecutors experienced in child sexual abuse, opened the investigation into Braff in consultation with the Santa Paula Police Department. "We intend to vigorously prosecute this case and encourage others to come forward who may have information about additional victims and crimes," Nasarenko further detailed in the issued statement.
