Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 12HF0258: May 13, 2014
SANTA ANA – A JSerra Catholic High School (JSerra) teacher faces a jury trial tomorrow for engaging in unlawful sex acts with a 14-year-old girl he met at the school. Ricardo Aldana, 40, is charged with seven felony counts of lewd acts on a child and faces a maximum sentence of seven years in state prison if convicted. Opening statements are scheduled to begin tomorrow, Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-34, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
At the time of the crime, Aldana was a Spanish teacher and boys’ soccer coach at JSerra in San Juan Capistrano. He is accused of meeting 13-year-old Jane Doe while she was a student at the school. He is accused of befriending the victim and gaining her trust.
In June 2011, after Jane Doe had turned 14 years old, Aldana is accused of inappropriately massaging Jane Doe’s shoulders over her clothes while they were alone in his classroom. He is accused of continuing to groom the victim by frequently exchanging text messages and speaking with her on the phone.
In September 2011, Aldana is accused of picking up Jane Doe in his vehicle near her home while the victim’s mother was out of town. He is accused of driving the victim to his Dana Point residence and sneaking her into his bedroom to avoid being seen by his roommates. Aldana is accused of engaging in substantial unlawful sex acts with Jane Doe. At approximately 4:00 a.m., Aldana is accused of dropping Jane Doe off at her home.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department began investigating this case after an out-of-state honors academic camp instructor became suspicious after overhearing statements by the victim to other students.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Jana Hoffmann of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.
###
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
Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486
Lets get this straight. After three years the girl was at an honors camp (she’s now 17) and an instructor over hears her talking about a sexual encounter with a teacher years earlier. There is no physical evidence, No recorded actions of complaint from the girl. A teen girl of course would near make up an imagined romantic escapade to empress friends. The guy is a coach and a rather handsome man to boot judging by his picture. Has there been any other complaints or a pattern of behavior? No? But because it is sexual in nature the DA’s sure to get a conviction regardless of not having one shred of physical evidence. I worn all men thinking of becoming a teen coach or teacher to reconsider! TRUTH