A former school counselor in Ventura County has been charged with additional counts of child molestation after more victims came forward. David Lane Braff, Jr., 42, from Thousand Oaks, was initially arrested in November for allegedly molesting eight young students at McKevett Elementary School in Santa Paula. Authorities have now added 14 more felony counts, bringing the total to 31 charges involving 13 victims.
Braff worked as a counselor at McKevett Elementary from 2015 to 2019. The initial accusations involved children aged 6 to 10, and he has pleaded not guilty to the earlier charges. He is currently being held in Ventura County jail on a $3 million bail.
Since his arrest, four additional victims from McKevett Elementary have come forward. A fifth victim reported incidents that allegedly occurred between 2004 and 2005 while Braff was employed at the Conejo Recreation and Park District.
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko stated that Braff is accused of preying on vulnerable children and that the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with information about Braff’s actions to reach out.
Braff has worked across multiple school districts and youth organizations in Ventura and Los Angeles counties over the past 24 years. He has held various roles, including counselor, sports coach, and behavioral therapist. At the time of his arrest, he was employed as an assistant principal and school counselor at Ingenium Charter Middle School in Winnetka.
Prosecutors are seeking to uncover the full extent of Braff’s alleged crimes and emphasize the importance of reporting any additional abuse.