Sherman Oaks Middle School Teacher Charged With Molesting 2 Students

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Sherman Oaks Middle School Teacher Arrested for Sexually Assaulting Multiple Students

Jun 2, 2023

A local Sherman Oaks teacher has been arrested for sexually assaulting at least two students.

Kareem Spann, 46, of Burbank was charged with multiple sex crime counts involving two 8th graders, officials from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

The charges against Spann include:

  • One felony count of lewd act on a child under 14
  • One misdemeanor count of child molestation

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) investigators were reportedly sent to the Louis Armstrong Middle School in Sherman Oaks after learning of the sexual assaults which allegedly began in April, according to ABC 7. Police received “multiple reports from students of alleged ongoing inappropriate sexual contact by Spann while he was employed at Louis Armstrong Middle School,” the LAPD said in a Thursday statement.

Investigators allege that Spann:

  • Began having inappropriate communication with a student
  • That communication led to grooming
  • The grooming progressed to inappropriate and unlawful touching

The molestation charge involves a separate child, with the alleged crime occurring during lunch time on school property in April, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

“Children deserve to feel safe and secure in their environment, and it is the responsibility of adults to protect them from any form of abuse or exploitation. These types of crimes against vulnerable students are sickening and a violation of trust,” Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. “It is important that children know they are safe at school and the adults who are charged to care for them will protect them rather than prey on their innocence.”

The Los Angeles Unified School District issued a statement through a spokesperson that said in part:
In early May, the school community shared their concerns about this employee with the school. Upon receiving these concerns, we immediately contacted the Los Angeles Police Department and removed the employee off-campus pending the results of the investigation… The District will provide counselors to work with any student who may be impacted by this incident. We remain committed to supporting our students and our school community.

Spann has been an 8th grade teacher at Louis Armstrong Middle School in Sherman Oaks since 2022, according to a report from CBS News.

The disgraced teacher was arraigned Thursday and reportedly remains in police custody where he is being held on $120,000 bail. The suspect pleaded not guilty and is set to appear in Van Nuys court on June 21.

The LAPD’s investigation into Kareem Spann is ongoing. Anyone with information related to a possible sex crime committed by the Louis Armstrong Middle School 8th grade teacher is urged to immediately contact authorities at 818-374-5415.

Important Teacher Sexual Abuse Information

A report from the Psychiatric Times describes “educator sexual misconduct” as “behavior by an educator that is directed at a student and intended to sexually arouse or titillate the educator or the child.”

In this context, ‘educator’ may refer to:

  • Classroom teachers
  • Coaches
  • Counselors
  • Administrators
  • Tutors
  • Aides

Victims of teacher or educator sexual misconduct may include all students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Teacher sexual abuse entails any physical, verbal, or visual (e.g. showing pornography) sexual behavior between an educator and a student.

How Child Sexual Abuse is Defined Under California Law

Child sexual abuse is any form of sexual activity with a minor, as anyone under the age of 18 is not legally able to give consent. Accordingly, engaging with a child in any type of sexual manner is a crime in California. Furthermore, contact does not have to be physical. The following activity can also be considered child sex abuse:

  • Text messages
  • Online chats
  • Other digital interactions

More than 90% of child sexual abuse victims are believed to know their abusers. Perpetrators may be family members, teachers, coaches, medical providers, or a parent of another child. No matter who the abuser may be, child sexual abuse is always a crime.

Speak to a Dedicated School Sexual Abuse Attorney Today

California school sexual abuse survivors and their families may pursue civil claims for damages (lawsuits) against negligent entities, such as:

  • The school
  • The school district
  • The teacher or employee who committed the actual crimes

Dordulian Law Group’s (DLG) Sherman, Oaks, California, teacher sex abuse attorneys will work tirelessly to hold all responsible parties accountable for a childhood survivor’s case.

Some damages that may be awarded in a school sexual abuse claim include:

  • Psychological harm/Emotional trauma
  • Pain and suffering
  • Diminished quality of life
  • Counseling or therapy/mental health expenses (past and future)
  • Medical care costs (past and future)
  • Punitive damages
  • Reduced future earing capacity/lost wages

A number of Los Angeles-area and greater-California school districts have recently faced sexual abuse lawsuits leading to major settlements on behalf of victims:

  • A jury awarded $102.5 million in March 2022 to two women who sued a Northern California school district. The complaint alleged that officials failed to stop a middle school teacher from sexually grooming and abusing them as minors.
  • A San Jose school was ordered to pay $7.5 million to five men who were sexually abused by their elementary school teacher in the late 1970s and early ’80s.
  • Survivors of a former Sun Valley high school wrestling coach were awarded a $52 million settlement in October 2022. The complaint alleged that the Los Angeles Unified School District knew of prior sexual misconduct and did nothing about it.
  • In April 2022, a $13.7 million settlement was reached with the Riverside Unified School District after 10 students alleged sexual abuse by former school technology aide Fernando Figueroa. The survivors ranged between the ages of 7 and 11 at the time of the abuse.
  • An $11 million school sex abuse settlement was reached between Redlands Unified School District and seven survivors. The plaintiffs, initially named in four separate lawsuits, accused a former Clement Middle School teacher, Sean Ramiro Lopez, of various sex crimes (Lopez is currently serving a 74-year prison sentence for sexual abuse).

If you suspect your child is being groomed or victimized by a teacher, contact DLG’s proven sexual abuse attorneys for a free consultation by calling 866-GO-SEE-SAM. DLG was founded by Sam Dordulian, a former sex crimes prosecutor in the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office who has secured more than 100 jury trial victories and helped obtain life sentences against some of the L.A. community’s most dangerous sexual predators.

If you experienced a sexual assault incident, don’t wait to file a claim. Contact our expert attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.

Dordulian and his team of aggressive, proven, and dedicated Los Angeles school sexual abuse lawyers are standing by 24/7 to answer any questions you may have and help you and your family take the first step toward securing justice for a teacher abuse case.

Contact us today at 866-GO-SEE-SAM for a free and confidential consultation.

Author

Samuel Dordulian

Samuel Dordulian, founder

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.




Go See Sam