Van Nuys High School Trainer Charged With 10 Counts of Sexual Assault

What’s the Problem?

Richard Alexander Turner, 64, was charged with 18 counts of rape, sexual battery, sexual assault of an unconscious person, and forcible oral copulation against female students he worked with, according to the Los Angeles Times [1].

Turner’s alleged victims were 15 to 17-year-old female athletes who were seeking recovery and rehabilitation from sports injuries, officials said. The girls claimed the offenses occurred both on and off-campus from 2017 to 2022. Some victims reported that Turner became violent, while others did not initially realize they had been assaulted, according to LA County District Attorney George Gascón.

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) described Turner as a “contract vendor” who was employed on a “limited basis” as an athletic trainer at Van Nuys High School and Birmingham Community Charter School.

Turner was arrested on September 20, after an alleged victim contacted the LAPD saying she had been “inappropriately touched” by him. Police released Turner’s name to the public and asked additional victims to come forward. Since Turner’s arrest, at least 9 other students have contacted police accusing him of abuse as far back as 2017.

“A school is a place where our children should feel safe and protected by those who we are supposed to trust,” Gascón said. “It is crushing for the victims’ families and our education system when someone takes advantage of a youth.”

A student at Van Nuys High School reported Turner to police in 2017, but prosecutors declined to file charges due to a lack of sufficient evidence, according to LAPD Captain Jeff Bratcher. School officials were notified of the allegations despite no charges being filed.

Turner was arraigned in a Van Nuys courtroom on September 27. It was not immediately clear whether he had retained legal representation.

FAQs

What are the potential legal defenses a high school trainer might use if charged with sexual assault?
Potential defenses could include challenging the credibility of the accuser, presenting alibi evidence, or arguing that the interaction was consensual if applicable. However, the specifics would depend on the case details and legal strategy.

Can the school face penalties if they fail to act on prior complaints about a trainer’s behavior?
Yes, if a school fails to act on prior complaints and this leads to an incident of sexual assault, they could face legal penalties, including lawsuits for negligence and potential loss of federal funding under Title IX.

Can a high school trainer appeal a conviction for sexual assault?
Yes, a convicted high school trainer has the right to appeal the decision. An appeal would typically be based on claims of legal errors during the trial, insufficient evidence, or other factors that may have affected the trial’s outcome.

What kind of evidence is typically used in a sexual assault case involving a school employee?
Evidence in such cases may include witness testimonies, physical evidence, electronic communications, surveillance footage, and medical reports. The victim’s testimony is also a critical component of the case.

Related Articles:

• Van Nuys Teacher and Coach Arrested for Child Molestation
• Van Nuys High School Teacher Guilty of Sexual Battery

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