PRUNEDALE – A male employee at the Prunedale Christian Academy was arrested Nov. 8 for alleged sexual assault of a juvenile student. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is searching for more possible victims.
Michael Louis Moon, 22, was a teacher at the school. Moon was booked in the Monterey County Jail with three charges: lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, oral copulation with a victim under 16 years old and sex with a minor.
The sheriff’s office received a tip Nov. 7 that informed them Moon was involved in a sexual assault of a student, according to a news release sent out by the sheriff’s office Sunday morning. On Nov. 8, Moon was arrested.
According to Cmdr. Andy Rosas, the sheriff’s office requested a bail enhancement for Moon, whose bail is set at $1 million. Bail enhancements can be requested based on a defendant’s prior convictions or based on the nature of the offense.
As this is an ongoing investigation, Rosas said the sheriff’s office is not able to discuss the bail enhancement or the specific nature of the case.
The sheriff’s office did say in its news release that it has probable cause to believe there may be additional victims. They are encouraging anyone who might have information about Moon and any past or present victims to come forward.
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“A victim can choose to come forward. It’s their decision,” said Rosas. “This is an opportunity for them to come directly to us. We know this is a traumatic experience. It’s not easy for a victim to have to relive what they’ve gone through … We have resources that are available to victims of any violent crime.”
Anyone with information should contact contact Monterey County Sheriff Detective Christina Scariot at 831-755-3811 or Detective Sergeant Nicholas Kennedy at 831-755-3773. Tips can also be sent in anonymously.
“We would encourage anyone that has any knowledge of something that has happened involving this investigation to come forward and talk to us,” said Rosas. “They can do so anonymously. We always offer that opportunity to talk to us without identifying yourself (while) providing us with information that could in this case help the victim.”