San Clemente teacher faces trial for sex assault and lewd acts against students

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 12HF1756: August 16, 2013

MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER FACES TRIAL FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING 8TH GRADE STUDENT ON CAMPUS AND COMMITTING LEWD ACTS AGAINST TWO OTHER STUDENTS

SANTA ANA – A middle school math teacher faces trial Monday for sexually assaulting an 8th grade female student while alone with her on campus and committing lewd acts against two other female students. Richard John Rack, 51, San Clemente, is charged with six felony counts of lewd acts on a child age 14 or 15, one felony count of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor under 14, and one felony count of oral copulation of a minor under 16. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 12 years and eight months in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration. Opening statements are expected to begin Monday, Aug. 19, 2013, in Department C-27, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.

Rack is accused of working as a teacher at Shorecliffs Middle School in San Clemente since 2002. At the time of the crimes, the defendant was a math teacher.

Between April and November 2011, Rack is accused of engaging in lewd conduct toward two students at the school, 13-year-old Jane Doe #1 and 14-year-old Jane Doe #2. The defendant is accused of hugging and making lewd comments to the victims. Jane Doe #1 told the school principal about the conduct, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) investigated the case.

Rack was arrested June 6, 2012, for the conduct related to Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2. Following Rack’s arrest, OCSD discovered the sexual assault against Jane Doe #3.

Between February 2009 and October 2010, Rack is accused of sexually assaulting 14-year-old Jane Doe #3 including lewd touching and oral copulation. He is accused of primarily sexually assaulting the victim while alone with her on campus.

If convicted, Rack will be barred from entering County recreational areas and City parks which have passed the Sex Offender Ordinance. Visit www.orangecountyda.com to read the prior press releases on the County’s Sex Offender Ordinance as well as the 14 other cities that have enacted the Child Safety Zone Ordinance.

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 Spokesperson Office: 714-347-8405 Cell: 714-323-4486

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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