Former Ojai private school teacher convicted in sex crimes case

A former Ojai Valley private school teacher was sentenced Thursday to more than six years in prison for sex crimes involving a minor student.

Paul Herder, 66, previously pleaded guilty in March to six counts involving sexual conduct with a student. The charges included luring, digital penetration of a minor and unlawful sexual intercourse, according to the Ventura County Prosecutor's Office. Herder also admitted to specific allegations that could result in harsher sentences, including taking advantage of a position of trust.

In February 2023, the former Oak Grove School student came forward as an adult with the allegations, opening an investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.

The “illegal” relationship took place between 2013 and 2017, prosecutors said in a news release, when Herder, then a teacher at Oak Grove, engaged in “numerous” sexual acts with the girl. The school is located west of the Ojai city limits.

Sheriff's detectives found Herder in Hawaii in June 2023 and coordinated his arrest with Hawaii police. Herder was extradited to Ventura County the following month.

On Thursday, Judge David Hirsch sentenced Herder to six years and eight months in prison.

Senior Supervisory Assistant Melissa Suttner said in a statement that Herder's actions exploited his position of authority to “manipulate and victimize” the student.

In November, a former student filed a civil suit against Herder, Oak Grove School and the Krishnamurti Foundation of America, the school's nonprofit. The suit alleges that the school and foundation failed to protect her from alleged sexual assault and abuse by Herder and covered up evidence that he had sexually abused other students. The case is ongoing and hearings are scheduled for August, according to court records.

Herder remained in custody Saturday at the Todd Road jail outside Santa Paula. He will be taken to Wasco State Prison, according to the court.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Former Ojai private school teacher convicted in sex crimes case