Beverly Hills piano teacher charged with sexual abuse of 13-year-old student

A Beverly Hills piano teacher has been charged with the sexual abuse of a teenage student, prosecutors said. 

On Friday, the Los Angeles County District Attorney shared a statement that announced charges against 41-year-old Hovanes John Jihanyan, who they say sexually abused his 13-year-old student between August 1 and November 9 this year. During the alleged abuse, prosecutors say the victim turned 14. 

"I am appalled by these horrific acts of sexual abuse against a vulnerable child," District Attorney Hochman said in the statement. "Our office has a long history of aggressively prosecuting child abuse cases, and we are fully committed to seeking justice for the victim and their family. The skilled and dedicated prosecutors in our Sex Crimes Division will ensure any criminal who targets children is held accountable. We believe there may be additional victims, and we encourage anyone with information to come forward and contact the Santa Monica Police Department."

Jihanyan was charged with one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 years old, one count of forcible oral copulation of a minor victim over 14, one count of sexual penetration of a minor under 16, one count of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor under 16, one count of sodomy of a child under 16 and one county of a lewd act upon a child age 14 or 15, prosecutors said. All of the charges are felonies. 

Jihanyan was arrested on Dec. 12 and remains behind bars on $1 million bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 15. 

If convicted of all charges, he faces a maximum sentence of 29 years in state prison and will be required to register as a sex offender, the statement said. 

Any possible additional victims are urged to contact detectives with the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-2256.