Daijiworld Media Network - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, Mar 4: A veteran teacher at an elite Southern California private institution has been arrested after prosecutors alleged that he secretly took inappropriate photographs of at least four female students on campus.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Travis Takeshi Shojinaga (39), a resident of Sylmar, was taken into custody on February 25 at Viewpoint School in Calabasas, where he had been employed for nearly a decade.
Shojinaga has been charged with one felony count of possession of child sexual abuse material and four misdemeanor counts of annoying or molesting a child under 18, prosecutors said. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on February 27 and is currently being held on USD 1 million bail. His next court hearing is scheduled for March 12.
Authorities said the investigation began after an 11-year-old student reported that the teacher had been taking inappropriate photographs of female classmates without their knowledge. Detectives later uncovered evidence suggesting that intimate images of multiple underage students had been compiled.
In a statement, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said investigators believe there may be additional victims and urged anyone with relevant information to come forward.
District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman strongly condemned the alleged acts, describing them as a “disgusting and deliberate violation of children’s safety, dignity and rights.”
“Schools are meant to be safe environments for youth,” Hochman said, adding that anyone who preys on children on campus will be prosecuted “to the fullest extent of the law.”
Viewpoint School, known for its rigorous academic programme and annual tuition exceeding USD 45,000, termed the allegations “deeply troubling.” The school confirmed that Shojinaga’s employment was terminated immediately following his arrest and stated that it is cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities.
The institution has also engaged the law firm O’Melveny & Myers to conduct an independent third-party investigation, facilitated by its Campus Safety and Security teams.
Officials clarified that while the allegations involve inappropriate photography, there are currently no claims of physical contact.
If convicted, Shojinaga faces up to seven years in state prison and will be required to register as a sex offender for life, prosecutors said.
Authorities have urged anyone who may have been victimised or who has additional information to contact Sergeant Joe Cerda at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Bureau. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to LA Regional Crime Stoppers.