A former school counselor in Ventura County has been hit with new charges after more victims came forward. David Lane Braff, Jr., 42, from Thousand Oaks, was arrested last November on suspicions of molesting eight young children. Now, he faces 14 additional felony counts, bringing the total to 31 counts involving 13 victims.
Braff worked as a counselor at McKevett Elementary School in Santa Paula from 2015 to 2019. Initially, he was accused of molesting students aged 6 to 10 in a school office. In November, he pleaded not guilty to 17 counts related to lewd acts against children under 14.
Since his arrest, five more victims have come forward. Four of them were from McKevett Elementary, while the fifth was allegedly abused between 2004 and 2005 when Braff worked at the Conejo Recreation and Park District.
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko stated that Braff is accused of exploiting his position to prey on vulnerable children. He has held various roles in multiple school districts and youth organizations across Ventura and Los Angeles counties over the past 24 years.
Braff is currently in Ventura County jail with a bail set at $3 million. His arraignment on the new charges is scheduled for May 21. Authorities are urging anyone with more information to reach out to their office.