Ex-Counselor Arrested on Molestation Charge

Aformer counselor at the Burbank YMCA surrendered to authorities Tuesday after a judge issued a warrant accusing him of molesting two young boys at the facility.

George R. Loya, 25, of Los Angeles was released on his own recognizance after turning himself in at the Burbank police station at 9 a.m., Police Sgt. Don Goldberg said. A Burbank Municipal Court judge issued a misdemeanor warrant for the man’s arrest Monday.

Loya is scheduled to be arraigned May 2 on two counts each of child molestation and battery, Goldberg said.

Loya, who was also a bus driver for the YMCA, is accused of molesting the boys in his counseling office at the YMCA on East Magnolia Boulevard. The first incident Oct. 5 involved an 8-year-old boy, and the second incident April 5 involved a 10-year-old boy, Goldberg said. Both of them live in Burbank, he said.

“Both the victims are alleging that they were fondled,” Goldberg said. “The fondling had sexual overtones and there was inappropriate touching.”

Randy Lewis, director of the Burbank YMCA, said Loya quit his job April 7 after police informed Loya of the pending charges. Lewis said Loya worked part-time for 1 1/2 years supervising groups of eight children during after-school recreation activities.

Parents of both boys independently contacted police after their sons “began acting strangely” and told of the incidents, Goldberg said.