Janitor to Stand Trial on Molestation Charges
An elementary school janitor was ordered Monday to stand trial in Van Nuys Superior Court on charges that he molested three young boys who were playing in the Canoga Park school’s yard after hours.
Ronald Wayne Jackson, 35, of Van Nuys, a custodian at Capistrano Avenue Elementary School, is charged with molesting three boys, ages 4 to 10, in incidents dating back to 1989.
After a two-day preliminary hearing in Van Nuys Municipal Court, Judge Shari K. Silver ruled that testimony by the victims produced enough evidence to try Jackson on the charges, which carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Eduards R. Abele, who is prosecuting the case, said Jackson was charged two months ago after one of the boys told his parents that he had been molested, and the parents reported that to police.
Jackson, who is free on $60,000 bail, has been suspended from his job without pay since July 25, said Shel Erlich, spokesman for the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Jackson is to be arraigned in the higher court Oct. 15.
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