A former College of the Canyons professor who was convicted of sexual battery in Ventura County was scheduled to be sentenced Friday, but failed to appear in court, resulting in a warrant being issued for his arrest, officials said. 

McKale Antonious, 51, of Sylmar, was found guilty of misdemeanor sexual battery by a jury, according to Ventura County District Attorney Gregory D. Totten.

On Friday, Antonious was scheduled to be sentenced, but failed to appear, said Andrea Haney, senior deputy for the Ventura District Attorney.

“He is evading the process of the court,” she said. “He was ordered to show up to court and has absconded.” 

The judge then issued a $50,000 warrant, and any law enforcement that may come in contact with him should see that, she explained. 

When Antonious is captured, he is set to be brought to the Ventura Court to be sentenced, according to officials.      

The crime occurred March 2, 2017 on the campus of Moorpark Community College. The victim was a female student in Antonious’ class,  according to the D.A’s Office. 

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence of a second uncharged sexual battery upon a female student allegedly committed by Antonious on the California State University, Los Angeles campus. The second incident occurred on Feb. 25, 2019, according to officials.

Antonious was employed as a part-time math instructor at COC between 2009 and 2012, and again between 2017 and 2019, according to Eric Harnish, spokesperson for the college.

“The safety of our students is of the utmost importance, so his employment with the college was immediately terminated in March 2019 after he was ordered by a court not to have contact with anyone in a classroom or tutorial setting,” Harnish said.

Antonious has taught mathematics at various colleges in Southern California, including College of the Canyons; California State University, Northridge; Pepperdine University; Santa Monica College; Coastline Community College; and Moorpark Community College, according to officials.

He has also used other names, including Zohair Isaac and Zohair Isshak, according to the D.A’s office.

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