A former counselor at McKevett Elementary School in Santa Paula, California, is now facing a total of 31 felony counts of child molestation involving multiple male and female victims under 14 years old. David Lane Braff Jr., 42, from Thousand Oaks, was initially arrested on November 22, 2024, on 17 felony counts related to the alleged abuse of eight students at McKevett Elementary between 2015 and 2019.
On April 29, 2025, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced additional charges against Braff, revealing allegations involving five more victims, four of whom were also students at McKevett Elementary. The fifth victim alleges abuse from 2004 to 2005 while Braff worked for the Conejo Recreation and Park District in Thousand Oaks. These new charges bring the total number of alleged victims to 13.
Braff’s extensive employment history over the last two decades includes various roles in education and recreation throughout Ventura County and the surrounding region, raising significant concern for additional unidentified victims. At the time of his arrest, Braff was employed as an assistant principal at Ingenium Charter Middle School in Canoga Park, Los Angeles.
Braff’s full employment history, courtesy of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office:
- Conejo Recreation and Park District, Thousand Oaks, CA – Part-Time Gym Attendant/Part-Time Recreation Leader (April 2000 – August 2005)
- Conejo Valley Unified School District, Thousand Oaks, CA – Intramural Sports Coach, Campus Supervisor, Childcare Assistant, Substitute Child Leader, Boys’ Freshman Basketball Coach (September 2003 – April 2015; Childcare Assistant 2012–2015)
- Moorpark Unified School District, Moorpark, CA – Paraeducator and Campus Supervisor/Instructional Assistant (January 2006 – August 2015)
- The ABA Network, Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA – Behavioral Therapist (July 2014 – August 2014)
- Santa Paula Unified School District, Santa Paula, CA – McKevett Elementary School Counselor (August 2015 – November 2019)
- Bright Star Schools, Los Angeles, CA – School Counselor (November 2019 – unknown)
- Rio School District, Oxnard, CA – Substitute Teacher (September 2019 – unknown)
- Sports Academy, Thousand Oaks, CA – Referee (June 2021 – November 2024)
- Ventura Unified School District, Ventura, CA – Counselor (January 2022 – February 2023)
- Ingenium Charter Middle School, Canoga Park, CA – Assistant Principal/School Counselor (March 2023 – November 2024)
Ventura County authorities remain committed to investigating Braff’s history and urge anyone with additional information or who suspects abuse related to Braff to contact Investigator Greg Webb at the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office at 805-477-1627.
Legal Support for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
At Herman Law, we understand the profound trauma survivors of childhood sexual abuse endure — especially when the perpetrator is a trusted figure in an educational or recreational institution.
Our experienced attorneys are committed to holding perpetrators and the institutions that failed to protect children from harm accountable. We offer compassionate, dedicated representation to survivors seeking justice and healing through civil litigation. Our top priority is empowering survivors by advocating on their behalf.
Reach Out to Herman Law for Confidential Support
If you or someone you know may have been victimized by David Lane Braff Jr., or has experienced abuse in a similar institutional setting, we encourage you to contact Herman Law for a free, confidential consultation. Our dedicated team of California sex abuse attorneys is ready to listen, support, and guide you on a path toward justice and healing.
Sources:
1. Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. (2025, April 29). Investigation leads to five more victims in David Braff child molestation case [Press release].
2. Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. (2024, November 22). Assistant principal charged with molesting multiple students [Press release].