Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: August 22, 2014

Case# 14HF2171

ADDITIONAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST MUSIC TEACHER WHO COMMITTED LEWD ACTS UPON MULTIPLE FEMALE STUDENTS

*Law enforcement seeks public’s help identifying potential additional victims in this case

NEWPORT BEACH – Additional charges have been filed against a music teacher for committing lewd acts upon multiple female students during music lessons. John Mordecai Scott, 58, Lake Forest, was charged today for crimes against Jane Doe #5 with two felony counts of committing lewd acts upon a child under 14 and a sentencing enhancement for committing lewd acts on multiple victims.

Scott was previously charged for four victims with one felony count of continuous sexual abuse, four felony counts of committing lewd acts upon a child under 14, two felony counts of distributing pornography to a minor, one felony count of using a minor for sex acts, one felony count of possession and control of child pornography, four felony counts of committing lewd acts upon a child, one misdemeanor count of child annoyance, and a sentencing enhancement for obscene matter used during a sexual offense.

If convicted on all counts, Scott faces a maximum sentence of 111 years and four months to life in state prison. He is being held on $1 million bail and is scheduled for continued arraignment on Sept. 26, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Department H-1, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach.

Between 1997 and 2013, Scott is accused of giving piano lessons to students at his home in Lake Forest, Coast Band Music in Mission Viejo, and OC Music in Rancho Santa Margarita. He is accused of showing inappropriate photos and taking inappropriate photos of minor victims Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2, Jane Doe #3, Jane Doe #4, and Jane Doe #5. The investigation in this case is on-going and no other information regarding the content of the photos will be released at this time.

On multiple occasions, Scott is accused of committing lewd acts on Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2, and Jane Doe #5. On Aug. 4, 2014, Jane Doe #1 reported the crime to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) who began investigating this case with the Orange County Child Exploitation Task Force (OCCETF).

On Aug. 8, 2014, OCSD arrested Scott at his home. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office charged Scott on Aug. 12, 2014, for the sex crimes against Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2, Jane Doe #3, and Jane Doe #4. On Aug. 14, 2014, Jane Doe #5 contacted OCSD after seeing media coverage regarding this case. Scott previously faced a maximum sentence of 30 years and four months in state prison but now faces a life sentence if convicted.

Anyone with additional information or who believes they have been a victim is encouraged to contact OCSD Investigator Sandra Longnecker at (714) 647-7418 or Supervising District Attorney Investigator Paul Carvo at (714) 347-8794.

OCCETF is comprised of members from the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; OCSD; Federal Bureau of Investigation; United State Postal Inspection Service; Huntington Beach Police Department; and Newport Beach Police Department.

Deputy District Attorney Vanessa Woods of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.

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Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney
401 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Contacts:

Susan Kang Schroeder
Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Farrah Emami
Director of Public Affairs
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486