OC Dance Instructor Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Teenage Student
SANTA ANA (CBS) — An Orange County dance instructor pleaded not guilty Tuesday to sexually assaulting one of his teenage students.
Brandon Christopher Marriott, 21, is charged with two felony counts of sexual penetration of a minor under 16, one felony count of oral copulation and one felony count of contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sexual offense.
According to the Orange County District Attorney's office, the assaults happened between July and August 2011 when Marriott was a tap dance instructor at Focus Dance Center in Irvine. He is accused to assaulting the 15-year-old victim twice in his car.
Marriott, of Westminster, is also accused to sending the victim sexually explicit text messages. The teen's parents discovered the texts and reported them to police, who began an investigation.
Marriott was arrested on Oct. 14. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of five years in state prison.
Marriott is being held on $100,000 bail. He will be back in court Oct. 26.
Costa Mesa police believe their could be additional victims. Anyone with information should contact Costa Mesa Police Detective Mike Manson at (714) 754-5360, or Costa Mesa Police Sergeant Ed Everett at (714) 754-5395.
