A teacher at a prestigious Los Angeles County private school is behind bars after being charged with molesting multiple female students and possessing child pornography.
Travis Takeshi Shojinaga, 39, is being held on $1 million bail over horrifying claims he secreted took intimate photos of at least four students, but there could be many more, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
He was also found in possession of child pornography.
Shojinaga, who taught at the school for 10 years, was arrested at Viewpoint School, Calabasas, on Feb. 25 after allegedly being caught an 11-year-old student taking inappropriate photographs.
The $55,000-a-year school released a statement to concerned parents saying that =a faculty member had been fired for “inappropriate behavior that occurred on campus” that did not involve physical contact.
Prominent alumni of the school include Tiffany Trump and Utah Jazz basketballer Miyi Oni.
“The accusations in this case are disgusting and deliberate violations of children’s safety, dignity and rights,” District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said.
“Our community’s schools are meant to be safe and protected environments for youths. We believe there may be more victims and encourage anyone with information to call law enforcement.
”Anyone who chooses to commit crimes against children, especially on a school campus, will be criminally prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Shojinaga pleaded not guilty to all charges.
A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for March 12 in Department 105 of the Van Nuys Courthouse.
He faces more than three years in prison if convicted.
Viewpoint Head of School Mark McKee said in the letter that administrators contacted police as soon as they learned of the accusations against Shojinaga.
“The employee was subsequently taken into custody, and his employment has been terminated,” McKee said.
McKee said the academy is working with law enforcement and it will conduct its own investigation with an outside party.
According to his Facebook profile, Shojinaga worked at the Viewpoint School for more than a decade.
In his statement, McKee offered counseling to students and encouraged them to come forward if they had any concerns.
“We understand this situation is deeply upsetting,” McKee wrote. “We will be making resources, including counseling, available for anyone in our community who may need support.”
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