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Feb 17, 2021
A San Bernardino County high school assistant principal has been accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a girl who was 7 and 8 years old at the time of the alleged crimes. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that Matthew Lin Johnson, a 42-year-old assistant principal at Oak Hills High School, was arrested last week and charged with continuous sexual abuse of a minor, including lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14. Johnson was booked at the county jail and is reportedly being held without bail.
The victim of the alleged sexual abuse, now 10, told investigators that crimes occurred on multiple occasions over the course of two years, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials. An investigation was launched after the alleged victim alerted sheriff’s officials that she had been sexually abused, with Johnson being identified as the suspect.
“The victim and suspect are known to each other,” sheriff’s spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said in an email to the Mercury News.
Johnson has reportedly been placed on leave by Hesperia Unified School District pending the ongoing investigation by law enforcement officials.
According to the Daily Press, Sheriff’s officials stated that detectives have not found any evidence indicating Johnson had inappropriate contact with any students at the high school where he was employed. “At this time, [Crimes Against Children] detectives have not found any evidence that Johnson had inappropriate contact with students at the school,” the Sheriff’s Department said via public statement.
Our Sexual Assault Justice Experts are here to help survivors secure justice. Contact our top-rated attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.
Officials are encouraging anyone with additional information to contact Deputy Vanayes Quezada with the Crimes Against Children Detail of the Specialized Investigations Division at (909) 387-3615.
Those wishing to remain anonymous may call the WeTip Hotline at (800) 782-7463, or visit the WeTip website.
In less than a year, Dordulian Law Group has published numerous blogs detailing instances of school sexual abuse, including a Ventura music teacher, John Edward Zeretzke, who pleaded guilty to one federal charge of production of child pornography and six state counts of lewd or lascivious acts with minors under 14 years of age.
Just days ago, we published a piece on a local Glendale Adventist Academy teacher, Brett Mohr, who has been arrested on allegations of molesting students.
Additionally, this past summer we reported on two instances of alleged sexual abuse at California religious institutions, the Menlo Megachurch and Abundant Life Ministries.
The Education Department recently issued a study confirming that reports of sexual violence in schools rose more than 50% between the 2015-2016 school year and the 2017-2018 school year. With school sexual abuse rates continuing to climb, and more and more children being victimized, parents are understandably alarmed and in search of answers.
Accordingly, we’ve outlined some tips to help parents protect children from sexual abuse predators (often coaches, teachers, clergy, or a known family member of friend).
In California, survivors of any type of sex crime – sexual assault, rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, incest, human trafficking, etc. – may file a civil lawsuit seeking to recover financial damages against an individual abuser or at-fault institution.
While not required, it is highly recommended that survivors of sexual abuse seek the representation of a qualified and experienced personal injury attorney to handle their claim. Taking on a school sexual abuse case alone can be a complex pursuit, particularly when facing an institution with vast resources. Choosing a dedicated advocate in a qualified sexual abuse lawyer can help ensure your rights are protected and you receive the maximum damages award you deserve.
At Dordulian Law Group, we take a different approach to representing survivors of sexual abuse by offering four-tiers of all-encompassing representation.
DLG’s founder and president, Samuel Dordulian, previously worked as a sex crimes prosecutor in the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. He established DLG’s SAJE Team (Sexual Abuse Justice Experts) to ensure survivors of sexual abuse have access to top-rated legal representation as well as the psychological and emotional support that is vital when proceeding with a civil claim.
DLG’s Sex Crimes Division provides survivors 24/7 access to all of our SAJE Team professionals, including:
With DLG, survivors have the support of a multi-faceted team to ensure their case reaches a successful outcome and they are able to navigate the healing process on their own terms.
The standard statute of limitations in California for childhood sex crimes is 10 years. However, under legislation that took effect in 2020 known as California Assembly Bill 218 (AB 218), the statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse is temporarily lifted through the end of 2022.
That means that any childhood sexual abuse survivor is now eligible to file a civil lawsuit to recoup financial compensation, regardless of how long ago the crime occurred. Cases that would otherwise have been barred by the statute of limitations may now be resubmitted to the courts under AB 218’s three-year “lookback window” clause. But the lookback window is only open for a limited time, and survivors who do not file a claim before January 1, 2023 may be left without legal recourse.
This is an unprecedented opportunity for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to finally secure justice, and it is an opportunity that will not last much longer. Accordingly, we strongly encourage any survivor of childhood sexual abuse – whether involving an individual, school, coach, clergy member, or other institution – to file a claim immediately and ensure this opportunity is not squandered.
Ready to file a claim and pursue justice through a financial damages award? Our expert attorneys are available online or by phone now.
When a child is sexually abused, the pain endured by the entire family can be overwhelming. To obtain justice, survivors need access to top-rated legal representation, with a past success record in handling similar cases. At Dordulian Law Group, our extensive experience in all types of sex crimes means your case is in good hands, and while we focus on securing justice via a maximum financial damages award, you can focus on the process of healing and moving forward.
To date, we have recovered over $200 million for survivors like you. Do not choose just any firm to handle such an important responsibility as a school sexual abuse case. Choose Dordulian Law Group and get the SAJE Team advantage.
Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation. You never pay an upfront fee or have to worry about out-of-pocket expenses. DLG clients pay nothing until we secure justice on your behalf and recover a financial damages award. Contact us today to speak with a member of our elite SAJE Team.
Sam Dordulian is an award-winning sexual abuse lawyer with over 25 years' experience helping survivors secure justice. As a former sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for L.A. County, he secured life sentences against countless sexual predators. Mr. Dordulian currently serves on the National Leadership Council for RAINN.
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