SIMI VALLEY : Principal Placed on Leave After Arrest
The principal of Simi Elementary School was placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday after school officials learned that he was arrested last month for allegedly grabbing the crotch of an undercover sheriff’s deputy in a Thousand Oaks park, school officials said.
The Sheriff’s Department on Monday notified the Simi Valley Unified School District that Brian Douglas Ross, 48, the principal of Simi Elementary since last August, was arrested on Dec. 16 on suspicion of committing a lewd act in public, officials said.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Keith Parks said an undercover deputy was walking along one of the dirt trails of Conejo Recreation Park when “Ross walked up to him and started a conversation and then exposed his genitalia to the deputy . . . and then grabbed (the deputy’s) genitalia area.”
The deputy arrested Ross, who was booked on the misdemeanor charge at the East County Sheriff’s station and released. An arraignment was scheduled for Jan. 19, sheriff’s deputies said.
District officials are awaiting the outcome of the arraignment before taking further action, said Assistant Supt. Leon Mattingley.
Ross could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Mattingley said Ross was removed from his post Tuesday morning, less than 24 hours after school district officials learned of the incident.
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