VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. — A former Ventura County school counselor, David Lane Braff Jr., 42, of Thousand Oaks, is now facing 31 felony counts of child molestation after five additional child victims were identified, prosecutors announced on April 29.
Braff was first arrested on November 22, 2024, on suspicion of molesting eight students while employed as a school counselor at McKevett Elementary School in Santa Paula. The alleged abuse took place between 2015 and 2019. At the time of his arrest, Braff was serving as an assistant principal and counselor at Ingenium Charter Middle School in Canoga Park.
An amended criminal complaint filed this week adds 14 new felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14. Four of the newly identified victims also attended McKevett Elementary, while a fifth was allegedly abused between 2004 and 2005 when Braff worked for the Conejo Recreation and Park District in Thousand Oaks.
In total, Braff is now accused of molesting 13 children across multiple schools and programs over a span of two decades. He remains in custody with bail set at $3 million.
Prosecutors said the charges reflect repeated abuse of both male and female victims, along with allegations that Braff abused positions of trust, targeted vulnerable children, and carried out the crimes with planning and sophistication.
Braff’s employment history includes roles at numerous educational and recreational institutions that served children:
Conejo Recreation and Park District (2000–2005) – Gym attendant and recreation leader
Conejo Valley Unified School District (2003–2015) – Multiple roles including childcare assistant and sports coach
Moorpark Unified School District (2006–2015) – Paraeducator and instructional assistant
Santa Paula Unified School District (2015–2019) – School counselor at McKevett Elementary
Ventura Unified, Bright Star Schools, Rio School District, and more – Counselor, substitute, referee
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko emphasized the scope of the ongoing investigation. “The defendant is now accused of molesting even more young victims across multiple years and locations. Our investigators and prosecutors remain committed to uncovering the full extent of this defendant’s crimes.”
Braff’s next court appearance is an arraignment scheduled for May 21 at Ventura County Superior Court.
Authorities urge anyone with information or who may have been a victim to contact DA Investigator Greg Webb at 805-477-1627.
