In a deeply troubling case that has sent shockwaves through Southern California, a former school counselor and current assistant principal has been charged with molesting eight elementary school students. David Lane Braff Jr., 42, of Thousand Oaks, was arrested on Friday and now faces 17 felony counts of lewd acts upon children under the age of 14. The allegations stem from his time as a counselor at McKevett Elementary School in Santa Paula, where he worked between 2015 and 2019.

According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Braff is accused of sexually abusing children aged 6 to 10 in a school office during his tenure at McKevett Elementary. Prosecutors allege that the crimes were premeditated and involved a level of planning and sophistication, exploiting the vulnerability of the young victims entrusted to his care. District Attorney Erik Nasarenko stated, “The defendant is alleged to have molested multiple elementary school children over a number of years, shattering the trust placed in him by parents, educators, and the public.”

Braff’s arrest followed an investigation launched last month by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and the Santa Paula Police Department. The inquiry remains ongoing as authorities work to determine whether there are additional victims or incidents tied to Braff’s long career in education. He is currently being held in Ventura County Jail on $3 million bail and is scheduled for arraignment on Monday.

At the time of his arrest, Braff was employed as an assistant principal and school counselor at Ingenium Charter Middle School in Winnetka, Los Angeles. Prosecutors believe he has worked at other schools across Southern California and may have volunteered with youth-oriented organizations. This raises concerns about how he was able to continue working with children despite earlier allegations.

The Santa Paula Unified School District confirmed that it had been aware of allegations against Braff as early as 2018. At that time, the district reported him to law enforcement and conducted its own internal investigation. However, it remains unclear why these earlier accusations did not lead to criminal charges or prevent him from securing subsequent roles in education.

Braff’s LinkedIn profile reveals a career dedicated to working with children in various capacities, including after-school programs and youth recreational activities. Disturbingly, he even received a “Counselor of the Month” award during his time at McKevett Elementary.

Both McKevett Elementary School and Ingenium Charter Middle School have issued statements emphasizing their commitment to student safety and cooperation with authorities. The Santa Paula Unified School District stated that it took immediate action upon learning of the allegations in 2018 and has pledged full transparency throughout the ongoing legal proceedings. Ingenium Schools expressed devastation at the recent revelations, noting that they acted swiftly to ensure student safety upon learning of Braff’s arrest.

This case also highlights systemic issues within educational institutions regarding how allegations of sexual misconduct are handled. Advocacy groups have long criticized practices like “passing the trash,” where educators accused of misconduct are allowed to quietly resign or transfer without facing accountability. Although California has recently strengthened its laws to prevent such practices—requiring schools to disclose prior allegations during hiring processes—these measures were not in place when Braff transitioned between jobs.

The charges against Braff underscore the critical importance of safeguarding children within educational settings. Authorities are urging anyone with information about additional victims or suspicious conduct involving Braff to come forward. “We intend to vigorously prosecute this case,” said District Attorney Nasarenko, “and encourage others to come forward who may have information about additional victims and crimes.”

This case serves as a grim reminder of the need for vigilance in protecting students from those who exploit positions of trust. As investigations continue, many are left questioning how such egregious acts could allegedly occur over several years without intervention—and what more can be done to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Braff’s arraignment on Monday will mark the next step in what promises to be a closely watched legal battle. For now, communities across Southern California remain united in their demand for justice for the victims and greater accountability within educational systems nationwide.