An Oakland horse trainer tied to the popular Piedmont Stables riding programs is at the center of a sweeping child sex abuse case, with prosecutors filing 21 felony counts after his arrest last Wednesday. The trainer, 37-year-old Justen Lewis, is identified in court records and is currently being held without bail.
Charges and Alleged Evidence
According to court filings, the alleged abuse dates back to January 2026 and includes accusations of lewd acts involving a 14-year-old, sexually explicit messages arranging meetings, and explicit photos and videos that investigators say were found on Lewis’s phone. Prosecutors have filed 21 felony counts, including possession of child pornography, arranging to meet a minor for sex, and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, as reported by The Mercury News.
Where He Worked
Piedmont Stables operates inside Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in the Oakland hills under a concession arrangement and offers boarding, riding lessons, summer camps, and youth programs. The East Bay Regional Park District lists Piedmont Stables among its equestrian resources and notes that the facility hosts instruction and camps for both children and adults, according to the East Bay Regional Park District.
Investigation and Court Timeline
East Bay Regional Parks Police led the investigation that culminated in Lewis’s arrest. Court records show he was booked into Santa Rita Jail in Dublin and has entered a not guilty plea. A judge has set a preliminary hearing for September 2026, and Lewis remains on a no-bail hold while prosecutors prepare their case, as reported by The Mercury News.
Concerns for Families and Programs
The case has rattled families who rely on Piedmont Stables for lessons and camps, where trainers are often brought in as independent contractors. The East Bay Regional Park District’s equestrian resources page describes a mix of district-run and concession-run programming, a setup that community advocates say can complicate oversight and screening of instructors, according to the East Bay Regional Park District.
Legal Next Steps
Lewis has pleaded not guilty and will have the opportunity to challenge the allegations at the September preliminary hearing, where a judge will decide whether there is enough evidence to move the case forward for trial. If prosecutors meet the legal thresholds at that stage, the case could proceed toward indictment and a trial in Alameda County Superior Court.
