Los Angeles, Ca

O.C. piano teacher gets life in prison for molesting 8 girls: DA

Published

3 years ago

May 6, 2022

O.C. piano teacher gets life in prison for molesting 8 girls: DA

An Orange County piano trainer who sexually assaulted college students throughout their music classes over 20 years was sentenced Friday to 100 years to life in jail.

John Mordecai Scott VI, 65, was convicted in March of molesting eight ladies and taking pornographic photographs of a number of victims, together with a 10-year-old scholar whom he confirmed pornography to and filmed, the O.C. District Lawyer’s Workplace stated in a information launch.

Scott was convicted of 13 felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, 5 felony counts of a lewd act upon a toddler age 14 or 15, one felony depend of use of an underage individual for obscene matter, one felony depend of possession of kid pornography, one felony depend of exhibition of lewd materials to a minor, one felony depend of distributing pornography to a minor with the intent to have interaction in sexual conduct, and one misdemeanor depend of annoying or molesting a toddler below 18.

He was discovered responsible of molesting eight younger ladies, starting from 7 to fifteen years outdated, whereas working as a piano trainer at Music Maker Piano Studio in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coast Band Music in Mission Viejo, and at his Lake Forest residence, officers stated.

Scott, who had been out on bail awaiting his trial, was instantly taken into custody following his conviction, the DA’s workplace stated.

5 individuals offered sufferer affect statements at Friday’s sentencing.

Starting in 1996, Scott molested the women throughout their music classes, together with groping their breasts and instructing among the ladies to unfold their legs rhythmically below the pretense that it was a part of their music instruction, in keeping with DA’s workplace.

“He confirmed a number of victims pornography and photographed one of many underage ladies in pornographic poses, together with in lingerie,” the information launch states.

He additionally claimed to be a health care provider whereas molesting one among his underaged college students, officers stated.

In 2014, legislation enforcement executed a search warrant on Scott’s residence after a 10-year-old scholar reported that he took inappropriate images of her whereas she was taking classes at his Lake Forest residence. She additionally reported that he confirmed her porn and filmed her.

The O.C. Baby Exploitation Process Power, led by Homeland Safety Investigations, uncovered pornographic images of three of Scott’s college students on his pc, in addition to photoshopped photographs of two of the younger ladies that had been altered from innocuous photographs to graphic pornographic photographs of the women. A considerable amount of little one pornography and erotica have been additionally found on Scott’s pc, officers stated.

“The trauma these younger ladies have been compelled to endure by somebody they need to have been in a position to belief is unforgivable,” O.C. District Lawyer Todd Spitzer stated in a written assertion. “Pedophiles won’t cease victimizing harmless youngsters till they’re faraway from society. No little one and no mum or dad ought to need to endure what these victims have suffered.”

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Los Angeles, Ca

Rescue underway of woman trapped in tunnel in Los Angeles neighborhood

Published

7 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Press Room

Rescue underway of woman trapped in tunnel in Los Angeles neighborhood

Emergency crews are attempting to rescue a woman from a tunnel in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday morning.

Firefighters were called to the 500 block of South Bixel Street around 8:20 a.m. on reports of a female entering a tunnel and being unable to exit, the Los Angeles Fire Department stated in a news alert.

Emergency crews attempt to rescue a woman trapped in Westlake on Nov. 19, 2024. (KTLA)

The patient was able to communicate with arriving crewmembers and did not mention any injuries and did not seem to be in distress, the Fire Department stated.

An Urban Search and Rescue Team was also sent to the location.

Sky5 was over the scene at 9:45 a.m. where crews could be seen standing near a ladder leading into the tunnel.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

Los Angeles, Ca

These are the best cruise lines for 2025

Published

14 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Press Room

These are the best cruise lines for 2025

If you’re looking to spend a vacation at sea but haven’t decided which cruise line is best for your specific needs, a new online ranking shows the best options for every type of traveler, from families to luxury seekers.

U.S. News & World Report has released its 2025 Best Cruise Lines rankings, highlighting 18 of the most popular cruise lines across six categories ranging from couples and families, to which distinct parts of the globe you’re looking to experience.

From cruises that offer the best bang for your buck to experiences that spare no expense, the rankings aim to help travelers select the perfect cruise vacation based on expert evaluations, traveler ratings and other key factors.

Norwegian Epic Cruise shown in this undated image. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Viking Ocean Cruises topped three categories: Best Luxury Cruise Lines, Best Cruise Lines for Couples, and Best Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean.

Disney Cruise Line also made a strong showing, maintaining its No. 1 positions in Best Cruise Lines for Families and Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean.

And for thrifty vacationers, Celebrity Cruises earned the title of Best Cruise Line for the Money.

“Given the variety of cruise lines available, these rankings provide travelers a way to compare features, amenities, and offerings to find the right cruise,” said Nicola Wood, senior travel editor at U.S. News.

2025 Best Cruise Lines Highlights

Best Cruise Lines for the Money

Celebrity Cruises
Virgin Voyages
MSC Cruises

Best Cruise Lines for Families

Disney Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean International
Norwegian Cruise Line

Best Cruise Lines for Couples

Viking Ocean Cruises
Seabourn Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises

Best Luxury Cruise Lines

Viking Ocean Cruises
Seabourn Cruise Line
Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, The Treasure, arrives at dawn Port Canaveral, Fla., Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) — *Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, The Treasure, arrives at dawn Port Canaveral, Florida on Nov. 12, 2024. (AP)*

The rankings were based primarily on three main factors: expert evaluations (30%), traveler ratings (50%), and health ratings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vessel Sanitation Program (20%). Expert ratings assessed the ship’s luxury, facilities and services, while traveler reviews provided first-hand insights into the experience of being onboard one of the ships.

Each cruise line was also evaluated on factors including price, family suitability, and destination options. Cruise ships and lines were only included in rankings if they met a minimum threshold for traveler reviews or itinerary availability.

For a full list of rankings and insights, visit U.S. News Cruise Rankings.

Los Angeles, Ca

Bear shot, killed by homeowner in Southern California mountain community

Published

22 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Press Room

Bear shot, killed by homeowner in Southern California mountain community

A resident in a small San Bernardino County Mountain community is being criticized after he shot and killed a bear last week that he claimed was getting into his chicken coop.

The Arrowbear Lake resident, a man identified only as Chris, reported the Nov. 13 shooting on Fox Lane to the county sheriff’s department and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said the homeowner was justified in fatally shooting the animal.

Under California Fish and Game code 4181.1 “any bear that is encountered while in the act of inflicting injury to, molesting or killing livestock may be taken immediately by the owner of the livestock.”

“I love the bears, everybody here. We coexist with them,” neighbor Mike Kutz, who heard the shots told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson. “I hear three or four gunshots and then, a few minutes later, I had another two more gunshots.”

A home in the San Bernardino mountains where a bear was shot and killed on Nov. 13, 2024. (KTLA)
A home in the San Bernardino mountains where a bear was shot and killed on Nov. 13, 2024. (KTLA)
A home in the San Bernardino mountains where a bear was shot and killed on Nov. 13, 2024. (KTLA)
A chicken coop at a home in the San Bernardino Mountains where the homeowner shot and killed a bear on Nov. 13, 2024. (KTLA)

According to Kutz, the bear was no stranger to the neighborhood and added that it appeared to be skittish of humans.

“He would just walk up the street and if I opened the door to my cabin, he would run,” he said. “He would not stop and look. He would instantly run.”

The homeowner who shot the bear and had previously reported to the sheriff’s department that the animal charged him briefly spoke to KTLA.

“It was getting into my chicken coop. Like I said, talk to the sheriff. They’ll give you the details,” he explained. “I’ve done everything I can to prevent this bear. I had an electric fence. The bear went right through it no matter what. I had a bunch of deterrents, the bear kept coming. I even bear sprayed him, and he still kept coming.”

While the shooting was deemed justified, it has drawn a lot of criticism from other mountain residents, especially online, with many saying it was sad to see the situation end this way.

“I think if fish and game said that it’s justified then it’s justified,” Arrowbear Lake resident Eric Real told KTLA. “I do love animals, so it does hurt to see a bear get shot over the situation.”