A guidance counselor at a West Los Angeles high school has been charged with having an unlawful sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student, authorities said.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office charged Julie Tichon, 37, with three felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor three years younger and one felony count of oral copulation with a person under 18.
“Educators and school staff have a fundamental duty to create a safe environment for all students, and when that trust is broken, it impacts the entire community,” Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. “Our office is dedicated to seeking justice for the victim and holding this individual fully accountable.”
Tichon was indicted Thursday and pleaded not guilty to all charges, authorities said. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 1.
Prosecutors say the sexual acts took place between February and March. They said the girl no longer works at the school, which they did not identify.
In February, Tichon was listed online as a member of the guidance staff for the boys division of YULA High School, an Orthodox Jewish school in Pico-Robertson, according to an archived webpage. His name no longer appears in the current online staff directory.
On May 28, YULA School Principal Rabbi Arye Sufrin sent an email notifying parents that he had received reports that a female staff member was having “an inappropriate relationship of a sexual nature” with two male students, the Forward reported. Sufrin said the school had shared this information with the Los Angeles Police Department and that the staff member was no longer on campus.
“It is beyond comprehension and beyond devastating that students are facing this situation,” Sufrin wrote.
Investigators believe there may be more victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact Los Angeles Police Department Detective Brent Hopkins at (213) 473-0447.
If convicted as charged, Tichon faces up to five years in prison.
