Julie Tichon.Photo:LAPD PIO/X
LAPD PIO/X
A now-former California high school guidance counselor was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old student, authorities said.
Julie Tichon was a 37-year-old guidance counselor at YULA High School, a modern Orthodox Jewish school, in Los Angeles, according to apress releasefrom the Los Angeles Police Department. Police allege she repeatedly “engaged in sexual acts” with a 16-year-old boy between February and March.
“Educators and school staff have a fundamental duty to create a safe environment for all students, and when that trust is broken, it affects the entire community,” Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said in apress releasefrom his office.
Tichon was arraigned on three felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor more than three years younger and one felony count of oral copulation of a person under 18, according to the DA’s press release.
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Meanwhile, investigators believe there are more potential victims and are asking anyone to come forward.
“The suspect used her position of responsibility to gain these victims’ trust, then began inappropriate sexual relationships with them,” LAPD Detective Russ Hess alleged.
Anyone with information is asked to contact LAPD Operations West Bureau Detective Brent Hopkins at 213-473-0447.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.
source: people.com