Paramedic Accused of Illicit Sexual Liaison With Girl

A Santa Clarita paramedic who drew widespread sympathy last year when he almost showed up for duty at the car wreck that killed his wife surrendered to authorities Wednesday on suspicion of conducting an illicit sexual relationship with a 15-year-old female relative.

Jake Schonert, a 35-year-old Los Angeles County firefighter, posted a $200,000 bond hours after surrendering at the Lost Hills sheriff’s station, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Bailey said.

Schonert is due in Newhall Municipal Court for arraignment July 22.

Prosecutors on Tuesday filed six felony child molestation charges against Schonert after his relative told a church counselor of her relationship last week, said Sgt. Kevin Carney of the sheriff’s child abuse detail.

“This is one of those stories that just tugs at the heart, and for it to be capped like this is so terrible,” Carney said.

Carney said the girl did not feel “secure” in the relationship.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Michael Noyes said the alleged acts began in January and continued through the end of April. “Force is not alleged,” he said.

If convicted of all charges, Schonert faces a maximum six years and four months in prison, Noyes said.

Schonert found out about the charges from news reports Wednesday morning, said his attorney, Terrence Roden.

Roden added that he had still not seen the criminal complaint and could not comment on the details. He said Schonert will “absolutely” plead not guilty.

Schonert’s wife Patricia, 35, was killed in a crash Oct. 17 when a pickup driven by Tyrone Michael Stewart swerved across San Fernando Road and struck her car.

Her car was struck by another vehicle and she was pinned in the wreckage.

At nearby Fire Station 124, Jake Schonert and other Santa Clarita firefighters boarded an ambulance and headed to the crash site. But rescue personnel on the scene recognized Patricia Schonert, and a fire captain rerouted Jake Schonert’s ambulance at the last moment.

Schonert and the others in his team, realizing that the most likely cause of such an unusual change in orders was that the crash involved someone close to one of them, immediately began checking on the whereabouts and safety of their families.

In the months after the crash, the community tried to help the Schonert family with fund-raisers and a trust fund for the children.

Los Angeles County Assistant Fire Chief Floyd Hoffman said Wednesday that Schonert is being reassigned to administrative work in the department’s headquarters downtown, standard procedure when a firefighter is charged with a felony.