Former Church Employee Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting 9-Year-Old Girl, Taking Up-Skirt Videos
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A former music teacher at an Anaheim church was convicted Wednesday of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl and taking up-skirt video of a 12-year-old student.
David Elifar Verduzco, 35, was found guilty of three felony counts of lewd acts on a child under 14, one felony count of sexual penetration with a child 10 years or younger, one misdemeanor count each of child annoyance and disorderly conduct, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
He met the girls and befriended their families at Agape House of Prayer, where he worked as a worship team leader and gave piano lessons.
Verduzco gave the 12-year-old girl piano lessons from January to September 2011. During the classes, he kissed her on the cheek and touched her thigh. Investigators also discovered videos on Verduzco's cellphone taken while he positioned the camera up the girl's skirt.
The defendant reportedly began babysitting the 9-year-old and two other little girls while the victim's parents were at the hospital. On Aug. 28, 2011, prosecutors said, Verduzco put the two youngest girls to bed and went to the 9-year-old's bed, where he digitally penetrated her. She reportedly objected, but he ordered her not to tell anyone.
Parents of the 12-year-old brought Verduzco's behavior to the attention of police after he sent her text messages that said things like "I love you" and calling her "beautiful," prosecutors said.
When the family also notified the 9-year-old's family about Verduzco, the young girl told her parents about the August 2011 incident, according to the DA's Office.
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