Prosecutors say teacher from H.B. raped relative
The trial of a former teacher who allegedly raped a 13-year-old relative began Thursday in Orange County Superior Court.
Jeffrey Scott Jones, 56, of Huntington Beach has been charged with two felony counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one felony count of continuous sexual abuse, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.
If Jones is convicted, he faces a maximum of 68 years to life in state prison.
Addressing the jury with her opening statement, Deputy District Attorney Heather Brown said the abuse began when the victim was in eighth grade..
Jones would routinely look after the victim and a younger sibling, Brown said.
At first, Jones allegedly began to make sexual comments to the victim, making her uncomfortable, Brown said, before allegedly progressing to inappropriate touching from Sept. 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013.
On May 4 and 9 that year, Jones allegedly raped the victim, Brown said.
On May 10, the day after Jones allegedly raped her, the victim went to a friend’s mother and told her what happened, Brown said.
Police took the victim to a hospital for a rape kit exam, Brown said, and a month later determined Jones’ DNA was a match.
Attorney Thomas Edward Welbourn, who is representing Jones, said the victim was a troubled teen with a history of lying, especially to her mother.
As an example, he said the victim was not supposed to use online social media, but had several accounts.
He also said her mother banned her from owning a cell phone, but the victim allegedly stole several cell phones on different occasions.
Welbourn told the jury that by the end of the trial it will be clear that the victim cannot be trusted, and the evidence compiled by prosecutors will not be enough to convict Jones.
Jones worked as a teacher for 27 years at Bell High School in Bell and Gahr High School in Cerritos, according to prosecutors.
The trial will continue at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.
Twitter: @benbrazilpilot
