Professor Placed on Probation in Sex Case Involving 2 Boys

An assistant professor of psychology at UCLA was sentenced Monday to five years probation for sexual battery and lewd conduct stemming from his contact with two boys through the Big Brothers and Woodcraft Rangers organizations.

Darrell Dean Richards, 31, of Van Nuys, who teaches developmental adolescence, was ordered by Van Nuys Superior Court Judge C. Bernard Kaufman to undergo psychological or psychiatric counseling as a condition of probation.

Kaufman also barred Richards from contact with youths under the age of 16 and ordered him to pay the cost of any psychiatric care or counseling required by the boys and their families.

If he violates the probation, he would be subject to a four-year prison term.

Richards, described by colleagues as a popular professor who is respected in his field, was originally charged with 11 counts of felony child molesting for the contact he had with the two boys, who were 10 and 6 at the time.

In a plea-bargain agreement with prosecutors, Richards pleaded no contest Sept. 30 to one felony sexual battery charge involving one boy and a misdemeanor count of lewd conduct involving the other boy. He was accused of fondling both boys, showering with them and sleeping naked with one boy.

Richards, who has continued to teach at UCLA, was arrested Jan. 8 by Los Angeles police after the mother of one of the boys complained.

A probation report recommended that Richards undergo a 90-day diagnostic study by the state Department of Corrections while in custody before a determination was made whether to sentence him to jail or probation.

The report said he “permanently traumatized the two young victims” and concluded that “perhaps he may again attempt to commit similar types of behavior on other vulnerable children.”

In explaining his decision not to give Richards jail time, Kaufman cited a stack of letters from friends and associates praising his professional accomplishments and character.

Richards’ attorney, Howard E. Beckler, said his client admitted touching the boys, but denied that it was to sexually arouse or gratify himself or the boys.

The mother of one boy, now 11, said Monday that she was angry that Richards did not receive a jail sentence. “After all my son went through, he should have received some time. Even three months in jail,” said the mother, who asked not to be identified.