Piano teacher sexually abused 13-year-old student during home lessons, CA officials say
A piano teacher sexually abused one of his teenage students during lessons over the course of three months, California prosecutors say.
Hovanes John Jihanyan, 41, was charged with multiple felonies stemming from the incidents involving a 13-year-old student, who later turned 14, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in a Dec. 20 news release.
“I am appalled by these horrific acts of sexual abuse against a vulnerable child,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in the news release.
Santa Monica police said they began looking into the Van Nuys man after getting a report of a 14-year-old student possibly being sexually abused by her piano teacher in November, according to a Dec. 13 news release from the department.
Detectives learned Jihanyan sexually abused the teenage student at lessons at her home, Jihanyan’s home and car, as well as at his Beverly Hills studio, French Conservatory of Music, police said.
The French Conservatory of Music did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment on Dec. 20.
Officers arrested Jihanyan on Dec. 12, police said.
He faces a maximum 29-year prison sentence if convicted as charged, prosecutors said.
Jihanyan, who is being held on $1 million bail, is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 15, prosecutors said.
Anyone with information about Jihanyan is asked to contact police at 310-458-8427.
This story was originally published December 20, 2024 at 3:05 PM with the headline "Piano teacher sexually abused 13-year-old student during home lessons, CA officials say."
