February 5, 2026 - by Herman Law
A longtime Oak Ridge High School band teacher in El Dorado County, California, was arrested and charged with multiple felony counts of child sexual abuse. Paul Varoff, 64, who taught band at Oak Ridge High School for over 30 years, now faces serious criminal charges that have shocked the school community and raised concerns about additional victims.
On January 26, 2026, detectives from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office arrested Varoff following an investigation into alleged sexual abuse of a minor. He faces 10 felony charges: five counts of oral copulation of a person under the age of 18 and five counts of sexual penetration of a person under the age of 18.
According to the criminal complaint, the alleged crimes occurred between January and August of 2023. The complaint alleges that the abuse took place at multiple locations, including Varoff’s home, his school office at Oak Ridge High School, and the victim’s home. The complaint notes that the victim was particularly vulnerable and that Varoff allegedly took advantage of being in a position of trust or confidence.
Varoff’s career in music education spanned nearly 40 years. According to the San Juan Unified School District in Sacramento, Varoff worked as a band and choir teacher for them from 1985 to 1995 before teaching at Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills from the mid-1990s until his retirement. After retiring from Oak Ridge at the end of the 2022-23 school year, he continued working with the El Dorado Union High School District in a “limited support role.”
The El Dorado Union High School District stated that the safety of their students is their highest priority and they are working closely with law enforcement. It is not yet known whether the allegations involve a student from their district.
Former students have expressed shock at the allegations. One former student, who attended Oak Ridge from 1996 to 2000 and played flute in the marching band, described Varoff as a teacher who took his job very seriously. Another former student expressed concern about potential additional victims, noting that band teachers have significant access to students through after-school rehearsals and programs.
Varoff was booked into the El Dorado County Jail and is being held without bail. He made his first court appearance on January 28, 2026, where he did not enter a plea. His arraignment has been rescheduled for February 12, 2026.
The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office has emphasized that this investigation is ongoing and there may be additional victims. Given Varoff’s extensive career spanning four decades and his access to countless students through band programs, after-school rehearsals, and music activities, authorities are actively seeking anyone with information.
The sheriff’s office has urged anyone with information to contact Detective Katz at katzt@eldoradosheriff.gov or by calling 530-642-4716.
Music education programs present particular vulnerabilities that can be exploited by predatory educators. Band directors often have extensive one-on-one time with students through private lessons, sectional rehearsals, and after-school programs. They frequently travel with students to competitions and performances and hold positions of significant influence over students’ academic and extracurricular success.
These circumstances can create power imbalances that predators exploit. Students may feel dependent on their music teacher for recommendations, performance opportunities, or continued participation in programs they love, making it difficult for young people to recognize inappropriate behavior or report abuse.
Schools and districts have a fundamental obligation to protect students through robust policies, background checks, clear boundaries, and swift responses to allegations. When institutions fail to adequately protect students, they can and should be held accountable.
At Herman Law, we exclusively represent survivors of institutional sexual abuse. Our mission is to help victims heal by giving them a voice through civil litigation. We understand the unique challenges these cases present, particularly when the perpetrator held a position of trust and authority.
Sexual abuse by teachers or other authority figures is never the victim’s fault. If you or someone you love was sexually abused by Paul Varoff or another educator, know that you are not alone and legal options may be available. Contact our team today for a free, confidential consultation.
Sources
CBS Sacramento. (2026, January 28). Retired El Dorado County band teacher accused of child sexual abuse. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/el-dorado-county-retired-band-teacher-accused-child-sexual-abuse-oak-ridge-high/
FOX40. (2026, January 28). Former Oak Ridge High School band teacher accused of child sex crimes appears in court. FOX40 News. https://fox40.com/news/local-news/el-dorado-county/former-oak-ridge-high-school-band-teacher-accused-of-child-sex-crimes-appears-in-court/
ABC10. (2026, January 26). Former Oakridge High band teacher arrested on multiple sex crimes against minors charges. ABC10 News. https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/former-oakridge-high-band-teacher-arrested-on-multiple-sex-crimes-against-minors-charges/103-dc1c458c-83a3-4712-9a4a-d7604a01d618
KCRA. (2026, January 26). Former El Dorado Hills high school band teacher charged with child sex crimes. KCRA News. https://www.kcra.com/article/former-el-dorado-hills-band-teacher-arrest/70149242
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by an attorney at Herman Law, with legal experience in helping victims of sexual abuse.
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