| For Immediate Release Case # 10CF1998
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Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
FORMER COUNSELOR AT THE ORANGEWOOD CHILDREN’S HOME TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING 17-YEAR-OLD FEMALE WHILE PROVIDING VICTIM THERAPY
SANTA ANA – A former counselor at The Orangewood Children’s Home will be arraigned tomorrow for sexually assaulting a then-17-year-old female resident to whom he provided therapy. Abner Z. Avila, 27, Lake Elsinore, is charged with three felony counts of sexual penetration by foreign object of a minor. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of four years and four months in state prison. Avila is out of custody and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Sept. 10, 2010, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Beginning on Oct. 10, 2007, Avila is accused of counseling then-17-year-old victim, Jane Doe, while she was a resident at The Orangewood Children’s Home (Orangewood) located in the City of Orange. Orangewood is Orange County’s only shelter for children who have been removed from their caretakers and placed in protective custody by police or protective services. Some of the resident children have been neglected or physically, sexually, or emotionally abused. Avila is accused of sexually assaulting Jane Doe on three occasions.
Between Oct. 10, 2007, and March 1, 2008, Avila is accused of sexually assaulting Jane Doe by digitally penetrating the victim and having her masturbate him in a common room within Orangewood where toys are kept.
Between Oct. 10, 2007, and March 1, 2008, Avila is accused sexually assaulting Jane Doe on a second occasion in his car after driving Jane Doe to her court-ordered drug test appointment and then buying her fast food in Orange. The defendant is accused of digitally penetrating the victim and having Jane Doe masturbate him while inside his parked car.
Between May 1, 2008, and May 16, 2008, Avila is accused of driving and picking up Jane Doe at her foster home, after she was no longer a resident at Orangewood. The defendant is accused of sexually assaulting the victim a third time by digitally penetrating the victim inside his car while parked outside her foster home. Avila is also accused of having Jane Doe masturbate him on the same occasion.
In May 2008, a former resident of Orangewood reported the defendant’s conduct towards Jane Doe to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Avila was arrested on May 17, 2008, while working at Orangewood. Upon further investigation, the District Attorney filed charges June 18, 2010.
Anyone with additional information or who believes they have been a victim is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Randy Litwin at (714) 347-8794.
Deputy District Attorney Jess Rodriguez of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.