Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.

December 20, 2006

Former Teacher at Chatsworth School Pleads to Molesting Boys

VAN NUYS – A former computer teacher at a Chatsworth private school pleaded no contest today to molesting boys. He faces a 10-year state prison term when he returns to court for sentencing in February.

Deputy District Attorney Isidoro Baly said 32-year-old Thomas Edward Jukes pleaded no contest to two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14. The plea was made prior to Jukes’ preliminary hearing before Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Karen J. Nudell.

Baly said the plea means that none of the young victims will be re-victimized by having to testify in court. He said he discussed the plea fully with the victims and their parents prior to it being entered today.

The defendant was arrested on April 27 by the FBI’s Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) team and initially freed on $100,000 bail. He was charged on May 16 and at the request of prosecutors, bail was increased to $535,000. Jukes was jailed in lieu of bail on May 16 and remains in custody.

When the defendant’s arrest was announced by the FBI in April, a press release issued by that office stated that Jukes had been relieved from his teaching job at Sierra Canyon School. Prosecutors said after the case was filed that none of the molestations occurred at the school.

The FBI release said the investigation began when a parent complained of an e-mail sent to a child. The FBI release also noted that Jukes had been a coach at the Valley Christian Athletic Association.

The FBI’s SAFE team is a task force focusing on sex crimes against children. Members include the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles and Orange county Sheriffs’ departments, the state Department of Justice’s Bureau of Investigation, the California Highway Patrol, the U.S. Attorney’s office and the District Attorney’s office. Criminal cases stemming from task force investigations can be tried in either state or federal courts, depending on the specific crimes alleged.

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CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER

JOSEPH SHEMARIA

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Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.