School Aide Sentenced in Molestation Case

A Pacoima man who last month pleaded no contest to sexually molesting female students at Burton Elementary School was sentenced Monday to 120 days in jail and ordered to undergo psychological counseling, the prosecutor said.

Jesus Fabian Hernandez, 27, was arrested in September after Burton officials notified police that seven girls, ages 8 to 11, had accused the former teacher’s aide of improperly touching them on their legs, thighs and breasts while he assisted them at computer terminals.

Some victims said Hernandez touched them on more than one occasion, said Deputy City Atty. Lynn Magnandonovan, who prosecuted the case.

Last month, Hernandez pleaded no contest to a single count of child molestation. Although multiple charges were originally brought against him, Magnandonovan said she was pleased with the outcome because it spared the students from having to testify in court.

“These girls are very young and a trial can be an incredibly stressful experience,” she said. “Besides, you never know what will happen during a trial.”

In addition to the jail time, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Jacob Adajian sentenced Hernandez to a year of counseling and three years probation. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender and was barred from coming to within 100 yards of the school or of the female students who gave police information.

Hernandez was taken into custody after the sentencing to begin serving his sentence immediately, Magnandonovan said.