This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Crime & Safety

Teacher From Dana Point Charged With Unlawful Sex Acts With a 14-Year-Old

Ricardo Aldana, 37, is charged with seven felony counts of lewd acts on a child and faces a maximum sentence of seven years in state prison if convicted.

A Dana Point resident and JSerra Catholic High School teacher has been charged with engaging in unlawful sex acts with a 14-year-old girl he met at the school.

37, is charged with seven felony counts of lewd acts on a child and faces a maximum sentence of seven years in state prison if convicted. Aldana is out of custody on $100,000 bail and is expected to be arraigned Monday, Jan. 30 at 8:30 a.m. at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.

At the time of the crime, Aldana was a Spanish teacher and boys' soccer coach at JSerra in San Juan Capistrano. About 20 percent of the student body at JSerra is comprised of Laguna Niguel and Dana Point residents, according to JSerra's admissions department. Graduating students of based in Laguna Niguel often continue their studies at JSerra, according to St. Anne's admissions department.

Aldana is accused of meeting 13-year-old Jane Doe while she was a student at the school. He is accused of befriending the victim and gaining her trust.

In June 2011, after Jane Doe had turned 14 years old, Aldana is accused of inappropriately massaging Jane Doe's shoulders over her clothes while they were alone in his classroom. He is accused of continuing to groom the victim by frequently exchanging text messages and speaking with her on the phone.

In September, Aldana is accused of picking up Jane Doe in his vehicle near her home while the victim's mother was out of town. He is accused of driving the victim to his Dana Point residence and sneaking her into his bedroom to avoid being seen by his roommates. Aldana is accused of engaging in substantial unlawful sex acts with Jane Doe. At approximately 4:00 a.m., Aldana is accused of dropping Jane Doe off at her home.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department began investigating this case after an out-of-state honors academic camp instructor became suspicious after overhearing statements by the victim to other students.

Find out what's happening in Laguna Niguel-Dana Pointwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Anyone with additional information or who believes they've been a victim is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Lou Gutierrez at (714) 347-8794.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.