Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Departments Special Victims Bureau arrested Legacy Christian Academy teacher Carl Astrera, 35, of Panorama City, on Wednesday.
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“(Astrera) was booked on 647.6, which is annoying or molesting a child,” said Sgt. Brian Hudson of the Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Bureau. Astrera was arrested around noon at the school, Hudson said.
“We are concerned that considering his postion at the school, there could be other children who were victims of his behavior,” Hudson said, although at this time, only one victim has been identified.
The victim was an 11-year-old boy, Hudson said, characterizing the molestation as “inappropriate touching and behavior that’s inappropriate in any setting.
Detectives began investigating an incident involving inappropriate contact and conduct by a teacher towards a student at the Legacy Academy School at the 27600 Block Dickason Drive in Valencia on Feb. 28.
The conduct towards the child appears to have occurred during the last year and a half.
Legacy Christian Academy officials could not be reached for comment immediately at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
As a result of the investigation, detectives arrested 35 year-old Panorama City resident, officials said.
The case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday, which subsequently filed one count against the suspect of annoying or molesting a child.
A warrant was issued for the suspect’s arrest and he was arrested today, and booked at Santa Clarity Valley Sheriff’s Station. He is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail.
Detectives believe there may be additional victims in this case, as the suspect has been employed at Legacy Academy for several years.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Bureau at (877) 710-5273.
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