Former teacher in Ventura County admits to sexually abusing student
A man who previously worked as a teacher in Ventura County has pleaded guilty to several child sex abuse allegations related to repeated illegal acts with a former student.
Paul Herder, 66, was arrested last June in Hawaii after California authorities began investigating claims made by a former student who came forward as an adult.
That unidentified student reported Herder to authorities in February 2023, saying that Herder had “engaged in numerous sexual acts” with the victim between 2013 and 2017 while she was underage.
During the time the crimes were committed, Herder worked as a teacher at Oak Grove School, a private preschool-through-high school located in Ojai.
Herder was located in Pahoa, Hawaii, and was arrested on June 12, 2023, with the help of local authorities.
He was extradited back to Ventura County several weeks later and booked into jail. At the time of his arrest, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said Herder “coerced the juvenile victim to engage in numerous sexual acts,” sent harmful matter to her and possessed child pornography for his personal use.
Herder was eventually charged with six felony counts involving sexual abuse of the student, including two counts of luring, counts of digital penetration and oral copulation of a minor, unlawful sexual intercourse and using a minor for sex acts. He also faced a special allegation that he “took advantage of a position of trust or confidence” to commit the crimes.
On Thursday, Herder admitted to the crimes and pleaded guilty to all six counts and the special circumstance.
“For too long, the defendant had gotten away with the terrible crimes and abuse of trust he perpetrated on the underage victim,” Deputy District Attorney Emily Reber said in a news release. “She is finally able to secure the justice and accountability that had escaped her for so many years.”
Herder is due in court on April 29 and is expected to be sentenced to six years and eight months in state prison.
Authorities added that Herder had an extensive history of teaching at schools across the country, as well as offering private tutoring throughout his career. In addition to Ojai and Pahoa, it’s believed he’s also taught in Los Angeles, Tucson, Arizona, Hamden, Connecticut, Bangor, Maine, Chesterfield, England and unknown locations in Thailand and Panama.
At the time of his arrest, the Sheriff’s Office warned there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.
According to Ojai Valley News, the victim in this case has filed a civil complaint against Herder, Oak Grove and the Krishnamurti Foundation, which operates the school. The complaint alleges that the school engaged in a “coverup” to obfuscate evidence related to child sex abuse committed upon her and additional unnamed students.
The status of that suit is unclear at this time.
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