| For Immediate Release Case# 06SF0427
March 27, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
FUGITIVE PIANO TEACHER SENTENCED FOR MOLESTING THREE YOUNG GIRLS DURING PRIVATE PIANO LESSONS
SANTA ANA – A fugitive piano teacher who fled to Canada to avoid prosecution for child molest was sentenced today to nine years in state prison for sexually assaulting three young girls while giving them piano lessons. Daniel Peter Gaudin, 60, pleaded guilty to the court on Feb. 11, 2009, to three felony counts of continuous sexual abuse, one felony count of lewd acts on a child under 14, and sentencing enhancements for substantial sexual conduct with a child. The defendant was sentenced to nine years in state prison and lifetime registration as a sex offender.
Gaudin taught piano lessons in a private room at “The Music Store” in La Mirada and at the homes of his students. Between Oct. 1, 2004, and April 18, 2006, Gaudin taught piano lessons at the home of 7-year-old Jane Doe #1 and her 10-year-old sister. The defendant sexually assaulted Jane Doe #1 when she was between the ages of 7 and 8 years old during her weekly piano lessons. He touched her vaginal area multiple times over her clothes during each lesson, tickled her and whispered in her ear that he loved her. Gaudin scheduled the piano lessons while the parents were not at home and only a nanny was present in order to have greater access to the victim.
Gaudin was charged for the sexual assault of Jane Doe #1 in April 2006 and attended all required court appearances while out on bail until Dec. 1, 2006, when he failed to appear at a pre-trial hearing. A warrant was issued for his arrest and further investigation revealed that Gaudin fled from the United States to Germany on Nov. 9, 2006, in an effort to avoid prosecution on child molest charges.
While a fugitive in the case on Jane Doe #1, two additional victims of Gaudin were identified. Between April 1, 2005, and April 30, 2006, Gaudin sexually assaulted 8-year-old Jane Doe #2 by touching her upper thighs and chest area inappropriately, whispering that he loved her, and making sexual comments during her piano lessons. Between Jan. 1, 2004 and April 30, 2006, Gaudin molested 9-year-old Jane Doe #3 while giving her piano lessons by touching her upper thighs and chest area inappropriately and whispering that he loved her.
Gaudin was charged with sexually assaulting Jane Doe #2 and Jane Doe #3 in May 2007. He was arrested on the fugitive warrant on May 17, 2007, while trying to enter Canada on a flight from London. Gaudin was brought back to Orange County on July 11, 2007.
During the sentencing today, the father of Jane Doe #3 said that the defendant not only took away his daughter’s love of music, but has robbed his daughter and the other victims of their ability to trust.
Deputy District Attorney Aleta Bryant of the Sexual Assault Unit prosecuted this case.