KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
A music teacher from Ventura County who gave flute lessons throughout Southern California, including two school districts in Santa Clarita, agreed to plead guilty to multiple charges involving children, officials said Thursday.
John Edward Zeretzke, 61, who operated the music education organization “Flutes Across the World,” was arrested in Orange County on April 10, 2019, after an investigation stemming from allegations made in the fall of 2017, according to California Attorney General’s Office.
The suspect is being charged in two courts: on the state level with the California A.G.’s Office and on the federal level with United States Attorney’s Office.
On Wednesday, Zeretzke agreed to plead guilty to one federal count of production of child pornography and six state charges of lewd acts with a minor under 14, according to the plea agreement obtained by KHTS.
As part of the plea deal, Zeretzke must register as a sex offender and participate in a psychological counseling program.
“(The) indictment alleges that between January 1, 2017 and April 30, 2017, Zeretzke targeted five victims under the age of 14,” reads a statement the Attorney General’s office last year.
See Related: Music Teacher Arrested On Charges Of Lewd Acts Against Minors
Zeretzke’s organization operated with many schools within both the Castaic Union School District and the Saugus Union School District, according to a 2017 letter to parents.
“The performer distributes a flute-like musical instrument made of PVC pipe or bamboo to students during a music lesson, and the allegation is that he contaminated some of these instruments with semen,” wrote then-SUSD Superintendent Joan Lucid in 2017.
Additionally, CUSD officials reported in 2017 that Zeretzke had been at Live Oaks, Castaic and North Hills Elementary for assemblies between 2015 and 2017.
Zeretzke is accused of recording video of himself tainting the flutes with semen which he distributed in 2017 to three girls at Castaic Elementary, according to a portion of a grand jury transcript obtained by the Southern California News Group.
“Crimes against children are despicable. Schools must represent a safe environment for our students,” Attorney General Becerra said in the 2019 statement. “No parent should fear for the safety and security of their child at school. We will work relentlessly to hold people who exploit our children criminally accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
In addition to registering as a sex offender, Zeretzke is also barred from viewing or possessing any “sexually explicit” images or videos of any kind, according to the plea deal.
On Oct. 8, Zeretzke is expected to appear in court for a change of plea hearing to formally plead guilty to the charges, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Sentencing for Zeretzke is set to follow the formal change of plea hearing.
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Okay JoJo you gotta claim these deranged pervert too.
Really. Just probation ? I can think of some disgusting consequences he should endure for his disgusting acts to innocent children.
No jail time? There should never be a plea deal available to anybody that’s been convicted of any lewd acts against children.
Way to go California that will teach him a big lesson and hold him accountable. This state is a sinking ship. Ha great idea Marco I’m sure he would play many there as he so deserves.
That sick SOB needs a lot of jail time to enjoy playing lots of flutes! Oh, I forgot, we’re not suppose to Judge his aberrant behavior—all lifestyles/behaviors are supposed to be acceptable—“to each his own”, “he hears a different drummer drumming “—-or it should be said “a flautists fluting”
It won’t need them, it’ll have plenty in prison, if the degenerate Liberals & ACLU can’t save/excuse it!!
When children get abused the punishment should reflect the lasting impact the abuse will have on the children. This is not just about him and his redemption to society. This should be about the children, scared for life no doubt. His sentence should reflect that and not some beurocratic plea deal.
There’s no redemption for the depraved creatures!! They’re mentally/morally/spirituality sick and unfixable, put that creature in jail and let it play a lot more flutes as well as other creatures with no Vaseline/KY!! Don’t forget the other depraved SOB with the cookies!!
It is time to get the Democrats out of Sacramento. How much more are we going to take from these idiots that are ruining this State? Wake up Dems. Don’t you see what is happening? These folks you vote in are nuts plain and simple.