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Band Instructor Arrested On Suspicion Of Sexually Assaulting Girl, 16

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA.com) — A high school band teacher is being held on $300,000 bail on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl.

Albert Anthony Morales was arrested at his Diamond Bar home Tuesday after the victim, who is now 22 years old, reported the crime on Jan. 29, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.

According to authorities, Morales met the teen while he was working as a band instructor at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton from 2004 to 2009.

The alleged sexual assault took place in 2006, when the victim was 16.

"During that time, he got friendly with her and got close to her and invited her to his residence where he provided alcohol and that let to sexual molestation," Sgt. Dan Scott said.

The molestation occurred on a regular basis at various locations, but never at the high school, according to Sgt. Scott.

The victim, who was in contact with the 33-year-old suspect until recently, only came forward after seeing a presentation about sexual abuse, KNX 1070's John Books reported.

Band Instructor Arrested On Suspicion Of Sexually Assaulting Girl, 16

"The victim in this case believes there were other girls who were close to him, which obviously leads us to believe there could be more out there," Sgt. Scott added.

Morales has worked in several local high school music departments, specifically as a percussion instructor, for the past 13 years, officials said.

Those schools include:

- Diamond Ranch High School, 2012-2013

- Sunny Hills High School, 2004-2009

- Diamond Bar High School, 1998-2000

Morales is due in court Thursday.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Special Victims Bureau at (877)710-5273.

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