Simi Valley : College Instructor Sentenced in Assault

A judge sentenced a former Moorpark College teacher Friday to 240 days in jail for sexually assaulting a female student in his office last spring.

Judge Frederick A. Jones sentenced Spanish teacher Alejandro (Alex) Paredes of Simi Valley to serve time in the County Jail and to five years probation after a jury convicted him of two counts of sexual battery in the May 8 incident.

Jones also granted a two-week stay of the sentence after Paredes argued that it would be difficult for him to interrupt his work as a teacher at USC to serve time in jail.

Jones allowed Paredes to remain free until probation officials can study the case and make a recommendation on whether he should be allowed to finish teaching the spring semester, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Michael Frawley.

Frawley said Paredes’ 18-year-old victim testified that she met the teacher on campus during a noisy outdoor concert and went to his office so they could talk more easily.

Frawley said the student testified that inside Paredes’ office, the teacher made advances to her.

Then, holding her down in a chair, Paredes fondled her breasts, put his hand up her skirt and touched her genitals, the student testified.

Frawley said the student broke away and reported the incident to college officials, who called police.

Frawley said that court documents show that at least four other female Moorpark College students and one from Cal State Northridge also have accused Paredes of inappropriate sexual behavior.

The Ventura Community College District trustees voted to fire Paredes two weeks after the assault for which he eventually was convicted.

But Frawley said that Paredes is still on the teaching staff at USC, and remains free on $10,000 bail.