Topline: A former Ventura County school counselor accused of sexually abusing children over two decades is set to stand trial on allegations involving 15 victims and 33 felony counts.
Published: May 1, 2026 8:00 am ET
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David Lane Braff Jr. (via Ventura County DA's Office)
THOUSAND OAKS, CA — David Lane Braff Jr., 42, will stand trial after prosecutors said an expanding investigation linked him to the alleged molestation of 15 children across multiple schools, jobs and years in Ventura County and Los Angeles County.
Prosecutors say Braff sexually abused children over the course of two decades while working with youth. He was arrested on Nov. 22, 2024, in connection with the alleged molestation of 13 students at McKevett Elementary School in Santa Paula. Authorities said those crimes occurred between 2015 and 2019 while he worked there as a school counselor.
Investigators also allege one victim was a student at Bright Star Schools in Los Angeles and another was abused between 2004 and 2005 while Braff was working with the Conejo Recreation and Park District in Thousand Oaks.
At the time of his arrest, Braff was employed as an assistant principal and school counselor at Ingenium Charter Middle School in Los Angeles. As the investigation continued, prosecutors said additional victims were identified, leading to amended complaints in April and October 2025 that expanded the case from eight victims to 15 victims and 33 felony counts.
Authorities said the charges include special allegations that Braff abused a position of trust, preyed on especially vulnerable victims, acted with planning and sophistication and committed offenses against multiple victims.
According to a report from KTLA citing the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Braff’s employment history over roughly 25 years included jobs with the Conejo Recreation and Park District, Conejo Valley Unified School District, Moorpark Unified School District, The ABA Network, Santa Paula Unified School District, Bright Star Schools, Rio School District, Sports Academy, Ventura Unified School District and Ingenium Charter Middle School.
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said when the case widened in 2025 that investigators and prosecutors remained committed to uncovering the full extent of the alleged crimes. Braff’s next arraignment is scheduled for June 3, and he remains jailed without bail. Anyone who believes they may have been a victim or who has additional information is asked to contact Ventura County District Attorney Investigator Greg Webb at 805-477-1627.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Former School Counselor to Stand Trial in Child Molestation Case Involving 15 Children
A former Ventura County school counselor accused of sexually abusing children over two decades is set to stand trial on allegations involving 15 victims and 33 felony counts.
By Silvia Torres
Published: May 1, 2026 8:00 am ET
David Lane Braff Jr. (via Ventura County DA's Office)
THOUSAND OAKS, CA — David Lane Braff Jr., 42, will stand trial after prosecutors said an expanding investigation linked him to the alleged molestation of 15 children across multiple schools, jobs and years in Ventura County and Los Angeles County.
Prosecutors say Braff sexually abused children over the course of two decades while working with youth. He was arrested on Nov. 22, 2024, in connection with the alleged molestation of 13 students at McKevett Elementary School in Santa Paula. Authorities said those crimes occurred between 2015 and 2019 while he worked there as a school counselor.
Investigators also allege one victim was a student at Bright Star Schools in Los Angeles and another was abused between 2004 and 2005 while Braff was working with the Conejo Recreation and Park District in Thousand Oaks.
At the time of his arrest, Braff was employed as an assistant principal and school counselor at Ingenium Charter Middle School in Los Angeles. As the investigation continued, prosecutors said additional victims were identified, leading to amended complaints in April and October 2025 that expanded the case from eight victims to 15 victims and 33 felony counts.
Authorities said the charges include special allegations that Braff abused a position of trust, preyed on especially vulnerable victims, acted with planning and sophistication and committed offenses against multiple victims.
According to a report from KTLA citing the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Braff’s employment history over roughly 25 years included jobs with the Conejo Recreation and Park District, Conejo Valley Unified School District, Moorpark Unified School District, The ABA Network, Santa Paula Unified School District, Bright Star Schools, Rio School District, Sports Academy, Ventura Unified School District and Ingenium Charter Middle School.
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said when the case widened in 2025 that investigators and prosecutors remained committed to uncovering the full extent of the alleged crimes. Braff’s next arraignment is scheduled for June 3, and he remains jailed without bail. Anyone who believes they may have been a victim or who has additional information is asked to contact Ventura County District Attorney Investigator Greg Webb at 805-477-1627.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Former School Counselor to Stand Trial in Child Molestation Case Involving 15 Children
A former Ventura County school counselor accused of sexually abusing children over two decades is set to stand trial on allegations involving 15 victims and 33 felony counts.
By Silvia Torres
Published: May 1, 2026 8:00 am ET
David Lane Braff Jr. (via Ventura County DA's Office)
THOUSAND OAKS, CA — David Lane Braff Jr., 42, will stand trial after prosecutors said an expanding investigation linked him to the alleged molestation of 15 children across multiple schools, jobs and years in Ventura County and Los Angeles County.
Prosecutors say Braff sexually abused children over the course of two decades while working with youth. He was arrested on Nov. 22, 2024, in connection with the alleged molestation of 13 students at McKevett Elementary School in Santa Paula. Authorities said those crimes occurred between 2015 and 2019 while he worked there as a school counselor.
Investigators also allege one victim was a student at Bright Star Schools in Los Angeles and another was abused between 2004 and 2005 while Braff was working with the Conejo Recreation and Park District in Thousand Oaks.
At the time of his arrest, Braff was employed as an assistant principal and school counselor at Ingenium Charter Middle School in Los Angeles. As the investigation continued, prosecutors said additional victims were identified, leading to amended complaints in April and October 2025 that expanded the case from eight victims to 15 victims and 33 felony counts.
Authorities said the charges include special allegations that Braff abused a position of trust, preyed on especially vulnerable victims, acted with planning and sophistication and committed offenses against multiple victims.
According to a report from KTLA citing the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Braff’s employment history over roughly 25 years included jobs with the Conejo Recreation and Park District, Conejo Valley Unified School District, Moorpark Unified School District, The ABA Network, Santa Paula Unified School District, Bright Star Schools, Rio School District, Sports Academy, Ventura Unified School District and Ingenium Charter Middle School.
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said when the case widened in 2025 that investigators and prosecutors remained committed to uncovering the full extent of the alleged crimes. Braff’s next arraignment is scheduled for June 3, and he remains jailed without bail. Anyone who believes they may have been a victim or who has additional information is asked to contact Ventura County District Attorney Investigator Greg Webb at 805-477-1627.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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