Accused in Lewdness Case : Ventura Supervisor Is Suspended as Teacher

Edwin A. Jones, the Ventura County supervisor charged with lewd conduct and indecent exposure stemming from a June 12 incident at a Studio City motel, has been suspended as an instructor at Los Angeles Valley College in Van Nuys, a community college official said Thursday.

Jones, 54, who has been teaching political science classes at night during the regular school year, was suspended June 21 under the Los Angeles Community College District’s policy of automatic suspension for instructors charged with sex-related crimes, spokesman Norm Schneider said.

If Jones is convicted, the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees would be required to permanently dismiss him, Schneider said. Jones would be subject to an automatic loss of his state teaching credential under the California Education Code if convicted of either charge.

‘Teaching Has Been My Life’

Reached at his district office in Thousand Oaks Thursday, the 2nd District supervisor would not discuss specifics about his teaching suspension. Jones said only that he hoped to continue teaching until retirement.

“Teaching has been my life for almost 30 years,” he said.

Jones started teaching full time at Valley College in 1970; he switched to part time after he became a supervisor in 1975. Earlier, he taught English and history at a junior high school in Eagle Rock.

Jones said Thursday that he was “looking forward” to proving his innocence.

An arraignment on the two misdemeanor counts is scheduled Aug. 13 in San Fernando Municipal Court. Each charge carries maximum penalties of up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

According to charges filed by the Los Angeles city attorney’s office, Jones exposed himself and made an obscene gesture to a 22-year-old woman in the courtyard of the Charles Motel on Ventura Boulevard.