An ongoing investigation has led to the discovery of five additional alleged victims in the child molestation case involving former school counselor David Lane Braff, Jr. According to a recent statement from the Ventura County District Attorney's Office, Braff now faces 14 new charges related to these claims. The amended criminal complaint unveiled on Tuesday raises the stakes in a case that has been steadily unfolding since Braff's arrest last year.
The new charges further inflame an already distressing situation, as four of the new alleged victims were students at McKevett Elementary School in Santa Paula, an institution where Braff was employed from 2015 to 2019. The fifth victim reportedly endured abuse while Braff worked at the Conejo Recreation and Park District in Thousand Oaks between 2004 and 2005. "The defendant is now accused of molesting even more young victims across multiple years and locations," stated District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. Braff’s arraignment is scheduled for May 21, 2025.
Initially, the case against Braff involved 17 felony counts of committing lewd acts upon children under 14, pinning him against accusations of preying on eight students while at McKevett Elementary School. The range of Braff's positions in educational and recreational settings over the years makes the scope of the investigation expansive. His roles included working as an assistant principal and school counselor at Ingenium Charter Middle School in Los Angeles – a position he held until his arrest on November 22, 2024.
The Ventura County District Attorney's office has been adamant in its pursuit to thoroughly uncover the extent of Braff's alleged crimes. They are asking the public to step forward with any information that might support the ongoing investigation. Furthermore, anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Braff is encouraged to reach out to Ventura County District Attorney Investigator Greg Webb. Braff's bail is currently set at $3 million while he awaits his upcoming court appearance from behind bars.
