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

Crime & Safety

JSerra Teacher Arrested, Fired, in Alleged Molestation

Ricardo Aldana, who taught Spanish and coached volleyball and soccer, is being held on $100,000 bail. Students from the Laguna Niguel-based St. Anne School often continue their education at the high school

A teacher at JSerra Catholic School has been arrested on suspicion of molesting a former student, officials with the Orange County Sheriff's Department said Thursday.

Ricardo Aldana, a Spanish teacher, coach of the girls' junior varsity volleyball team and assistant coach of the boys' soccer team, was taken into custody Wednesday evening. Aldana also coaches a private club in Irvine called Tstreet Volleyball, but his name has since been removed from the coaching staff.

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 St. Anne School based in Laguna Niguel often continue their studies at JSerra, according to St. Anne's admissions department.

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

"He is accused of having sex with a former student," said Jim Amormino, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Department. "All I can say about her identity is that she is a female, 14 years or younger."

Aldana, 37, allegedly had sex with the girl at his Dana Point home, Amormino added.

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

"The young girl told her mother what had happened. Her mother then contacted the Sheriff's Department," Amormino said.

Blake Driver, 21, of Laguna Niguel said he spent his junior year at JSerra and recalled,"Mr. Aldana was always very popular with the female students. Girls were always running up to him and giving him hugs."

The school issued a statement Thursday:

“We are outraged and sickened by these disturbing allegations, and are cooperating fully with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

We strongly encourage anybody in the JSerra community with information that might aid the investigation to contact the Sheriff’s Department immediately.

After learning about the facts surrounding the arrest this morning, we immediately terminated Mr. Aldana.               

JSerra does not tolerate inappropriate conduct between faculty/staff and minors, and we will continue to forcefully enforce our policy.” 

Amormino said Aldana is in jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. More charges may added.

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.