Elementary Teacher Molested Students At Elite LA County School: Authorities

CALABASAS, CA — An elementary teacher at an elite private school in Calabasas is charged with child molestation after secretly photographing at least four students, according to authorities, who said there may be more victims.

Travis Takeshi Shojinaga, 39, of Sylmar, was arrested Wednesday on campus at Viewpoint School in the 23600 block of Mulholland Highway after an 11-year-old reported he was “taking inappropriate photographs of female students,” according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Shojinaga is charged with one felony count of child abuse material possession and four misdemeanor counts of child molestation, according to authorities.

“The accusations in this case are disgusting and deliberate violations of children’s safety, dignity and rights,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a news release. “Our community’s schools are meant to be safe and protected environments for youths. We believe there may be more victims and encourage anyone with information to call law enforcement.”

Shojinaga pleaded not guilty Friday and his bail was set at $1 million, authorities said, adding that if convicted, he faces seven years in prison and would be required to register as a sex offender for life.

Shojinaga had worked at Viewpoint, where tuition starts at over $45,000, since 2014, according to the school, which noted he had passed a criminal background check. He was terminated when the school learned of the allegations, Viewpoint said in a statement.

“We are working closely and cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate and have retained an outside investigator to conduct a thorough third-party investigation, closely coordinated with law enforcement and facilitated by campus safety and security,” the statement said.

Anyone who may have been a victim or has more information about Shojinaga is urged to contact Sgt. Joe Cerda at 562-946-8216, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.