Traffic School Instructor Out On Bail After Sexual Battery Allegations

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A traffic school instructor was released on bail Wednesday after being arrested on three counts of sexual battery.

Police said the crimes occurred this year during driving sessions or at the school, on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood, in July and August.

The alleged victim was described as a female student. Her age was not released.

However, police did identify the accused instructor as Jorge Ernesto Ubillus, 70. Ubillus was released from custody on $30,000 bail.

Police believe there may be other victims and asked that those with more information call the Operations-West Bureau Detective Aldegarie at (213) 473-0439.

Meanwhile, the past president of the Driving School Association of California says there are several steps the public can take to ensure that they hire a safe driving school.

"Don't shop by price. Shop by reputation. Shop by quality," said Robert Stahl.

Stahl recommends talking to the owner of the driving school to ascertain what kinds of hiring standards exist and how long their drivers have been employed.

"I'll put an ad in the paper, and I'll say, 'I want a clean driving record.' People come into my office and they have a DUI on their record. I'm not going to hire somebody who has a DUI on their record. Some schools might," Stahl told CBS2's Kristine Lazar.

In addition, the California Department of Motor Vehicles does screen driving schools. DMV regulations required that owners of schools be licensed by the state, requiring that both the owners and their instructors pass background checks.

Furthermore, the DMV receives changes to driving and criminal records and can revoke licenses based on those changes.

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