| For Immediate Release Case # 12CM01770 February 28, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
LAW ENFORCEMENT SEEKS PUBLIC’S HELP IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL VICTIMS OF HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER CHARGED WITH MAKING SEXUAL COMMENTS AND INAPPROPRIATELY TOUCHING TWO 16-YEAR-OLD GIRLS
SANTA ANA – Law enforcement is seeking the public’s help identifying potential additional victims of a high school biology teacher who has been arrested today by the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) and charged with making sexually suggestive comments and inappropriately touching two female students. Joseph Manuel Orduna, 63, Irvine, is charged with two misdemeanor counts of child annoyance and faces a maximum sentence of two years in jail if convicted. He is being held on $15,000 bail and is expected to be arraigned at a later date in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.
At the time of the crimes, Orduna was a biology teacher and wresting coach at Godinez Fundamental High School in Santa Ana. The defendant is accused of frequently making inappropriate comments about sex in front of his class including discussing details of his sex life.
Between April and June 2011, he is accused of making sexually suggestive comments and inappropriately touching two 16-year-old female students. The defendant is accused of frequently tightly hugging both victims for long periods of time.
On one occasion, Orduna is accused of kissing Jane Doe #1 on the lips while giving her a hug in the hallway of the school near the entrance to his classroom. In another occasion, Orduna is accused of grabbing Jane Doe #2’s buttocks while hugging her.
Jane Doe #1 reported the inappropriate contact to school officials, who contacted SAPD. In the course of their investigation, SAPD learned of the inappropriate contact with Jane Doe #2.
Anyone with additional information or who believes they have been a victim is encouraged to contact SAPD Detective Ed Zaragoza at (714) 245-8351 or Supervising District Attorney Investigator Carl Waddell at (714) 834-7538.
Deputy District Attorney Brad Schoenleben is prosecuting this case.
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