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:
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
California school sexual abuse survivors and their families may pursue civil claims for damages (lawsuits) against negligent entities, such as:
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:
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:
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.
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.
Do you have a case? Let's find out.