Former Ojai private school teacher sentenced in sex crimes case
A former teacher at an Ojai Valley private school was sentenced to more than six years in state prison Thursday for sex crimes involving an underage student.
Paul Herder, 66, had previously pleaded guilty in March to six felony counts involving sexual conduct with the female student. Charges included luring, digital penetration of a minor and unlawful sexual intercourse, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office. Herder also admitted to special allegations that can bring heavier sentences, including that he took advantage of a position of trust.
In February 2023, the former Oak Grove School student came forward as an adult with the allegations, launching an investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
The "unlawful" relationship took place from 2013-2017, prosecutors said in a news release, when Herder, then a teacher at Oak Grove, engaged in "numerous" sexual acts with the girl. The school is located west of Ojai city limits.
Sheriff's detectives found Herder in Hawaii in June 2023 and coordinated with the Hawaii Police Department for his arrest. Herder was extradited to Ventura County the following month.
On Thursday, Judge David Hirsch sentenced Herder to six years, eight months in prison.
Supervising Senior Deputy DA Melissa Suttner said in a statement Herder's actions exploited his position of authority to "manipulate and victimize" the student.
In November, a former student filed a civil lawsuit against Herder, Oak Grove School and the Krishnamurti Foundation of America, the school's parent nonprofit. The suit alleges the school and foundation failed to protect her from alleged sexual assault and abuse by Herder and covered up evidence that he had sexually abused other students. The case is ongoing, with hearings slated for August, court records show.
Herder remained in custody at the county's Todd Road Jail facility outside Santa Paula Saturday. He will be taken to Wasco State Prison, according to the court docket.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Former Ojai private school teacher sentenced in sex crimes case
