Tujunga Man Held in Molestations

A 38-year-old Tujunga man was charged Monday with kidnapping and sex crimes after allegedly approaching three young boys in public places and molesting them.

John Saghanejad is accused of forcing a 12-year-old Tujunga boy into a restroom stall at the Tujunga Public Library and molesting him Aug. 23.

Two other youths, 12 and 9, were allegedly befriended on separate days by Saghanejad in the video section of the Sunland Kmart. Police said he fondled the boys inside the store and tried to abduct them. The alleged incidents took place Oct. 28 and Nov. 1.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Richard Taklender said Saghanejad was charged with one count of kidnapping for sexual purposes and five counts of lewd acts with a child. Saghanejad faces a possible sentence of life in prison.

Police arrested Saghanejad on Thursday after an acquaintance told detectives he recognized a photo of the suspected molester that was taken by a store surveillance camera and circulated in the news media.

Saghanejad is being held in lieu of $1-million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned later this month in San Fernando Superior Court.

In another sex crime case, a Van Nuys house painter pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that he forced a 13-year-old Robert Fulton Middle School student into his van last month, drove her to an undisclosed location and raped her.

Ulrich Mejia, 32, was charged with multiple felony counts, including kidnapping, rape, forcible oral copulation, sexual penetration by a foreign object, making criminal threats and aggravated assault of a child.

Prosecutors also alleged that Mejia used a deadly weapon and committed kidnapping for sexual purposes. He is being held in lieu of $4-million bail.

Mejia was arrested after two police officers on patrol spotted his white Chevy van.

The girl had escaped by jumping out of a van when the vehicle stopped near the school. She was able to provide key details for officers, including a description of the van’s contents, including a cell phone, BB gun and painter’s equipment.