The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
52-year-old Mary Jahn, an English teacher at Lakewood High School since 2006, has been accused of engaging in a sexual relationship for three years with a former female student which began when the girl was 15 years old in 2008. According to the authorities, after the girl turned 18 in 2011 she and Jahn’s physical intimacy ended, but they stayed in touch on and off until early spring of this year when the student reported the alleged sexual abuse to the police.
Following the student’s report an investigation began, and Jahn was put on leave from her teaching position. She was arrested on September 13. The Long Beach Unified School District has offered their support to the authorities, and after Jahn’s arrest they released a public statement assuring that the “safety and well-being of our students is always our primary concern.”
Following a short court proceeding Jahn now faces criminal charges for 9 felonies comprised of four counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object, three counts of lewd acts upon a child, and two counts of oral copulation of a person under 18. If convicted on all charges Jahn could face eight years and four months in state prison, and she would have a mandatory legal obligation to register as a sex offender for the remainder of her life.
Jahn “adamantly denies” the claims against her, and believes she may be acquitted as more facts of the case are released, as stated by her defense attorney. She did not enter a plea during her court appearance. She is being held on $750,000 bail, and her attorney has intentions of asking the judge to reduce that amount during her scheduled court date next week.
If you or someone you love is suspected of sexual abuse, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.