When news broke in late 2024 about an assistant principal in Southern California being hauled off in handcuffs, people were naturally stunned. But as the months have rolled by, the story of David Lane Braff Jr has morphed from a single localized arrest into a sprawling legal saga that spans decades and multiple school districts. Honestly, it’s one of those cases that just keeps getting heavier the more the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office digs into it.
You’ve probably seen the headlines. They’re pretty grim.
Basically, David Lane Braff Jr is a former school counselor and administrator who is now facing a mountain of felony charges. We aren't talking about a one-time lapse in judgment here. We're looking at a multi-decade timeline of alleged predatory behavior.
The Breakdown of the Current Charges
As of the most recent updates in late 2025, the legal situation for David Lane Braff Jr is incredibly serious.
He isn't just dealing with a couple of counts. The Ventura County District Attorney, Erik Nasarenko, announced a second amended complaint in October 2025. This latest filing brought the total to 33 felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14.
Let that sink in for a second. Thirty-three counts.
The case now involves a staggering 15 identified victims. When he was first arrested back in November 2024, the count was eight. Then it jumped to 13. Now, it stands at 15. Prosecutors have been very open about the fact that they think there might be more people out there. They’ve even set up a dedicated line for anyone who has information. If you're keeping track, Braff has pled not guilty to all of these charges and is currently being held at the Ventura County Jail without bail.
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A Career Spent Around Children
One of the most unsettling parts of the David Lane Braff Jr story is just how much access he had to kids.
He didn't just work at one school. He was all over the place. His resume is basically a roadmap of youth services in Southern California.
- Conejo Recreation and Park District: This goes way back to 2000. He started as a part-time gym attendant.
- Conejo Valley Unified School District: He spent years here between 2003 and 2015, doing everything from coaching freshman basketball to being a childcare assistant.
- Moorpark Unified School District: He worked as a paraeducator and campus supervisor for nearly a decade.
- McKevett Elementary School: This is where a lot of the initial allegations centered. He was a counselor here from 2015 to 2019.
- Bright Star Schools: A counselor role in Los Angeles from 2019 to 2021.
- Ingenium Charter Middle School: This was his last stop before the arrest. He was actually the assistant principal and a counselor there in Canoga Park.
It’s a long list. It covers Thousand Oaks, Santa Paula, Moorpark, and Winnetka. The sheer variety of roles—coach, counselor, therapist, administrator—is what allowed him to build so much trust with families.
Why the Case is So Complex
Legally speaking, the prosecution isn't just going after the acts themselves. They are tacking on "special allegations."
What does that mean? Basically, they are arguing that David Lane Braff Jr didn't just commit crimes; he used his position of power to do it. They're alleging "sophisticated planning" and "taking advantage of a position of trust."
The timeline is also a massive hurdle for the defense. One of the alleged victims dates back to 2004 during his time at the Park District. That’s over twenty years ago. Trying to build a case that spans two decades is a logistical nightmare, but the Ventura County DA’s Sexual Assault Unit seems to be doing exactly that.
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The impact on the communities has been pretty devastating. At McKevett Elementary, where Braff was a fixture for years, the district has had to work closely with law enforcement to manage the fallout. You can imagine the parents' reactions. You send your kid to school, you trust the counselor, and then you see this on the news.
What Happens Next?
The legal wheels are still turning. David Lane Braff Jr has an Early Disposition Conference scheduled for early January 2026. This is a standard part of the process where both sides try to see if a resolution can be reached before heading toward a full-blown trial.
Given the number of victims and the severity of the charges, a plea deal seems unlikely, but you never know. For now, he remains behind bars. Judge Russel-Paul H. Kawai previously denied bail, which tells you a lot about how the court views the risk level here.
The investigation is still considered "active." This is a key detail. The District Attorney’s Office is still encouraging anyone with information to contact Investigator Greg Webb at (805) 477-1627. They aren't closing the books on this one yet.
Actionable Steps for Families and Communities
While the court case plays out, there are real-world lessons we can take away from how this unfolded.
Review School Safety Protocols
If you have kids in any of the districts mentioned—or any school, really—it's worth asking about their "line of sight" policies. Most modern schools require that doors with windows stay clear and that one-on-one meetings with counselors happen in visible areas.
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Trust Your Gut with "Grooming" Signs
Experts in child advocacy, like those at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, often talk about red flags. These include an adult giving a child special gifts, wanting to spend time with them outside of official hours, or trying to create "secrets" between them.
Understand Your Legal Rights
Families affected by cases like this often have two paths: the criminal case (which the DA handles) and civil litigation. Civil cases are where institutions—like school districts—are held accountable for things like negligent hiring or lack of supervision. Several law firms in Southern California are already looking into whether these districts ignored red flags regarding Braff.
The David Lane Braff Jr case is a stark reminder that even the most "trusted" roles require oversight. Vigilance isn't about being paranoid; it's about making sure the systems designed to protect kids are actually doing their jobs.
Key Contacts for This Case:
- Ventura County DA Investigator Greg Webb: (805) 477-1627
- Child Help National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD
Stay informed by checking the Ventura County District Attorney’s official press releases, as they provide the most accurate updates on court dates and new filings.