Behind the Badge
Editor’s note: The Orange County District Attorney’s Office rejected the case on Dec. 27, 2017 due to lack of sufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law, OCDA spokeswoman Michelle Van Der Linden told Behind the Badge OC on Feb. 23, 2018.
Investigators from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Detail have arrested a 30-year-old San Juan Capistrano music teacher on suspicion of sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
Christian Hernandez, 30, of Rancho Santa Margarita, was arrested Aug. 24 and booked into the Orange County Jail on suspicion of sexual assault of a minor.
He is due in court Aug. 28.
Hernandez worked as an independent music teacher at the Los Rios Rock School and provides private lessons outside the school.
The victim, a 17-year-old female who was 15 at the time of the alleged assault, recently reported the incident to investigators.
Christian Hernandez. Photo courtesy of OCSD
A second female victim, who is 20, also came forward recently and alleged inappropriate conduct by the suspect. She was 16 at the time of the alleged incident.
No charges have been filed related to the second reported incident and the investigation continues.
Both incidents are believed to have occurred between two and five years ago.
The suspect had worked for the Los Rios Rock School since 2011, but was fired in September 2016.
Due to Hernandez’s lengthy time working with minors and his potential exposure to numerous youths, investigators believe there may be more victims.
Anyone with additional information or who believes they were a victim is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Detail at 714-647-7419 or 714-647-7000.
Anonymous tips may be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (6227).
