A former preschool teacher who worked at UCLA's Krieger Center for 25 years has been convicted on multiple counts of child sex abuse involving five victims, the L.A. City Attorney's Office announced.
Christopher Rodriguez was found guilty on nine counts of child sex abuse, including sexual battery, prompting strong condemnation from City Attorney Hydee Feldstein-Soto, who described his actions as "unthinkable and reprehensible."
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While she would not provide details of the crimes, Feldstein-Soto did share that the children were only 3 and 4 years old when the crimes took place during the last six months of 2023.
According to Feldstein-Soto, the decision to pursue prosecution ultimately fell to the City Attorney's Office after former L.A. District Attorney George Gascón twice declined to bring charges.
"This case was very difficult to bring," she said. "The first time we brought it, it resulted in a mistrial because young children are difficult on the stand."
"In so many of these cases, the young kids can't be in the same courtroom with their abuser without a lot of additional trauma," Feldstein-Soto said. Her office obtained a court order permitting the children to testify remotely to protect them.
Rodriguez could receive more than 7 years behind bars during sentencing scheduled for next month, but that could be delayed as his attorney has filed a motion asking for a new trial.
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