Aaron Westbrook
Posted by Webmaster in California, Coaches, Hall of Shame, High Schools, ME-FV, Social Studies
(12/02/08 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)
Aaron Westbrook, 25, a social science teacher, surf team coach and assistant girls volleyball coach at Capistrano Valley High School in in Mission Viejo, California has been taken into custody on suspicion of having sex with one of his female students.
School officials reportedly received an e-mail containing allegations of the alleged illicit activity from a concerned parent just before Thanksgiving and began an investigation on Monday. Administrators interviewed students about the allegations and thereafter concluded that a crime may have been committed. School officials then contacted the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Reportedly Westbrook was taken into custody on the campus Monday and was subsequently released on bond.
A school district spokesperson indicated that Westbrook will not be attending any of his classes and that the Capistrano Unified School District school board will review in their next meeting whether to place him on compulsory leave during the criminal investigation, which is without pay.
01/22/09 – Case Update
In a press release, the Orange County District Attorney’s office has revealed that it has charged Aaron Westbrook with three felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, two felony counts of oral copulation of a minor, two felony counts of administering a controlled substance to enable a felony, three misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and three misdemeanor counts of furnishing alcohol to a minor.
According to the press release, Westbrooks’s arraignment will take pace at 9:00 a.m. at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach on February 11th.
The DA’s office says that between June 1, 2008, and Nov. 1, 2008, Westbrook is accused of having an unlawful sexual relationship with two separate female victims on separate occasions, both 17 years old, whom he met while teaching at Capistrano Valley High School.
Westbrook is accused of giving alcohol to both victims and illegally engaging in oral copulation and intercourse at his home and at the home of one of the victims.
The DA’s office says that the school principal contacted the police after receiving a letter from a concerned parent.
02/11/09 – Arraignment
Aaron Westbrook appeared in court for arraignment this morning and entered not guilty pleas to five felony sex counts involving a minor, two felony counts of administering a controlled substance to enable a felony, three misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and three misdemeanor counts of furnishing alcohol to a minor.
Westbrook who remains free on on $50,000 bail faces a maximum of seven years in state prison if convicted.
07/29/09 – Guilty Plea
Today, Aaron Westbrook pleaded guilty to three felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, two felony counts of oral copulation of a minor, two felony counts of administering a controlled substance to enable a felony, three misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and three misdemeanor counts of furnishing alcohol to a minor.
In spite of the multiple felony counts to which Westbrook pleaded guilty, Superior Court Judge Gregory Jones sentenced him to only 240 days in county jail and three years probation.
Reportedly, prosecutors objected to the lack of prison time in Westbrook’s sentence.
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A few interesting facts you might want to consider before you leave your comments herein and/or pass judgment on others (which is the great beauty of this country…everyone is entitled too pass on all the judgment they want without persecuution, love that!).
My research today turned up the following: In 32 of 50 states the legal age limit is under 18 for a girl to have consentual sex with a male. Of course California isn’t one of those. Therefore in 64% of the United States Aaron might have been fired for poor judgment, but he would not be considered a criminal that would never teach again. Yikes, something isn’t quite right about that.
Further, if you go to the web link below, you will also see that in approximately 90% of 150 countries that reported, the legal age is also below 18. I think that covers about 5 billion of the 6 billion world residents doesn’t it?
I felt compelled to research this because i was married at 21 to my 17 year old high school hottie, granted this wasn’t marriage, but I am pretty sure my girl was up to speed with the sex thing at 17? Still married 25 years later, hopefully she is happy, if not, kick me to the curb sweetie!! Additionally, my 20 year old daughter (love you!), seemed to be plenty up to speed about dudes at age 17 and all the crap they make up, I made sure she did!! Nonetheless, Dude (Aaron), what were you thinking? I know the District coaches new teachers on this stuff before you get credentialed. Couldn’t you “roll” your game at the college or somewhere you yielded so much less influence over the students??
Check out the following website for more facts on the topic. http://www.avert.org/aofconsent.htm
(Deleted by site moderator) Aaron is currently a SUSPECT right now. These are only ALLEGATIONS against him. He has not been convicted of anything. None of you were there so keep your judgments to yourselves.
I’m not saying he did it or he didn’t do it, and I truly believe that if he did do it, he should get a severe punishment. However, for you people to start slandering somebody without even knowing what really happened is absolutely pathetic and pitiful. You are the types of people who would hear a rumor and instantly believe it without even considering what the truth is behind it.
I have known Aaron for a while now and he’s a good guy. He didn’t live in a palace like you guys are trying to say he did. He lived in a three bedroom apartment with two roommates, and that place wasn’t even very nice.
I personally hope these ALLEGATIONS are not true, but if they are, then he does deserve a harsh penalty. But until a JURY makes it’s decision, I will not be like one of you pathetic, hypocritical people and rush to a judgment about what happened.
None of us were there, so stop throwing stones.
In keeping with site policies as outlined in the “Comments” page the last name of the person purported to have left this comment has been altered to an initial only by the site moderator.
First of all I too had Mr. Westbrook and he was a really good teacher. What he does outside school does not matter to me and i think i speak for a lot of his students. So what if he partied a lot? He still got his job done and did better at it than most of the previous teachers I had.
And for you “adults” who thinks we are still naive at 17 are completely wrong. Our world is not as innocent as it was b4 and trust me we know a lot of things that our parents does not know and didnt know than when they were 17.
I think being in this site alone is unfair to him because he is as of right now “INNOCENT”
To Mr. Westbrook, all I can say is keep your head up and i think its unfortunate for many students who will not have the privilege to learn from you….
Thank you Brandon. I knew I was not the only one who knew he lead a double life. He was at my house partying every weekend and would go to school and act like a saint.
KB: I understand that we don’t not know what happened in this situation, but I do know what he HAS done in the past. I do not even know him that well, but things I know and have WITNESSED are far worse than sleeping with a 17 year old.
John: How can you say this young child controls the situation?? That is incredibly disturbing that someone could actually think that. This victim is a young girl who doesn’t know better. When a good looking MAN with authority shows interest in a girl who probably got no attention at home- of course she will fall for it. He is the adult and is 100% responsible for this criminal act.
For all of you defending him- Just imagine what this girls parents are going through. They sent their daughter to school to get an education- not to get seduced by a teacher. Her reputation is now ruined because she was taken advantage by a sexual predator.
I believe Aaron is innocent until proven guilty, and even if he is found guilty, there is another person just as responsible and that is the girl. The only thing Aaron is 100% guilty of is making a bad decision and thinking with the wrong head. I met Aaron a year ago and found him to be a very nice guy, not the bible thumper Christian people are descrbing his as, more like a spiritual person. I am a 40 yeard old mother of a young girl (who had Aaron as a TA at MV high school), if she goes to a man’s apartment she’s got something in mind and shame on parents for not teaching daughters morals & ethics. We are not talking about an innocent 9-10 year old child, we are talking about a young woman who was obviousley sexually active enough to be ready and willing to go to a 25 year old man’s home. Aaron made a horrible decision for which he will pay dearly, doing time in jail should not be something that happens to him. And for all of you that speak of his father being a lawyer and Aaron feeling entitled to things you are wrong. Aaron lived in an aparment that really was not that nice with 2 other roomates and he drove an average car..he was not living like a spoiled rich kid. IF this were my daughter I would have chosen to address this issue in private, the parents of this girl really need to look at their daughter and ask themselves where they went wrong. Yes, by law he is guilty if he did have realtions with this young girl, but really need to ask ourselves in this specific situation if the law is right.
I just want to say one thing…not to defend Aaron or anything, but normally it takes two to tango, if you know what I mean. High school girls nowadays are sexually developed and mature very early on, and they pretty much know what they are doing. Yes, he should have known better, no doubt.
Facts are not revealed yet completely, but if it was consentual…it makes a significant difference.
Also, all you people who jump in to judge Aaron–don’t you have your own lives and problems to worry about? It just bothers me that all this crowd is so quick to sit back and say “well, he gets what he deserves”. I think it is just the lowest of the lowest to do that.
God bless!
Brandon and Sarah,
I too attended college with Aaron, I also grew up with him. For you to rip Aaron like that is completely wrong. You were not there, you have no way of knowing what happened. I am not saying that it happened one way or not, but for you to judge him is completely wrong. Just because a person parties and drinks does not mean that they are a terrible person. That has no relevance.You should really move outside your bubble and quit passing judgement on someone because you don’t agree with their life choices. Plenty of people drink does that mean that they are all bad people. I know first hand how people at our college judge a person if they do not adhere code of ethics. This is the same school that pitched a teepee in the middle of the school and directed it at the students who party asking them to leave, why they go there, rather than encouraging them and helping their fallen brothers and sisters.ONCE AGAIN YOU HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED, WHY DONT YOU LET THE FACTS UNFOLD BEFORE YOU PASS JUDGEMENT. THEY ARE JUST ALLEGATIONS, THERE HAS BEEN NO PUBLISHED EVIDENCE, SO YOU MUST EITHER BE TELEPATHIC OR WORK FOR THE SHERIFF”S DEPARTMENT…
To call Aaron entitled is a completely wrong, his parents made him work and pay for everything, you obviously do not know him that well other wise you would know that he is the exact opposite of that. Yes his Dad is a lawyer, but you must forget the college that he works for, not exactly the highest paying institution.
One last thought… High school students know very well what they are doing, especially in South Orange County. Not to say that if that allegations are true that Aaron is not at fault, but if this same girl was driving drunk and killed someone, would the courts not try her as an adult? It is a fine line to place a age limit on sexual relations.
My prayers are thoughts go out to Aaron, the girl, and both the families this truly must be a hard time for everyone.
Amen, wife and mother – My beloved mother (RIP) used to say, the girl controls the situation. If you keep your knees together nothing happens. She made me learn at an early age, as a female, you are vulnerable. Don’t ever put yourself in a situation that you don’t have control over. Thank you, mom
Well, Mr. Westbrook was my History teacher and I think that he’s the best history teacher ever. I actually learned a lot of things in his class. If he’s guilty or innocent I don’t know but I do know we all deserve second chances. But I still think that he’s an amazing teacher and many people would agree with me. God is the only person allowed to judge him and he will be judged by him not by me. and I agree with mv. ” he who is without sin cast the first stone”. all i know is that i will keep him in my prayers along with his family.
I attended college with Aaron and he really did lead two lives. He took advantage of girls as well as secretly partied hard on the weekends. This is relevant because it coincides with the possible behavior that led him to this predicament. I do not feel bad for Aaron because he is an adult and was taught right from wrong. He took on the enormous responsibility of becoming a teacher but took advantage of it. It does not matter whether the girl was in his apartment willingly or not. What matters is that she was there! And it was illegal! A teacher should never be alone in an apartment with an underage girl. I wonder if they were having a private bible study or something- I mean, come on! I am just about fed with everyone bringing the bible into this. He had sex with an underage girl! IT WAS ILLEGAL!
What if your daughter was this girl? Would it be okay for this to happen? Would you blame your daughter…Think about it!
Either way he is pretty much screwed. He will probably not teach ever again and his reputation is tarnished forever. He had a decision to make and he made the wrong one!
Also, I would like to defend Sarah. I agree with her. Aaron led two lives and he is a hypocrite. He was a dirt bag and still is. So what? Sarah has an opinion and has the right to express it. Period. Personal attacks on her are just pathetic!
You guys are unbelievable. I simply said that he was a dirtbag – he was. Now Mw attacks my character and paints me as a vindictive, angry person? This is just ridiculous! You all must have fallen for the nice Christian guy act that he played off oh so well. There is always a time when people find out the truth of ones character. The Aaron I knew a few years ago was “secretly” getting wasted and taking advantage of girls. You are just as naive as these young girls if you think this was his first “mistake.” He slept with a child and deserves whatever God and the law sentences him to. I will pray the Westbrook family (hers as well) as Ed was a wonderful professor and role model for his students.
Thank you Chelsea and Caitlin… he still is a good teacher, who may or who may not have done anything to get him on this blog. And how sad, after being acused, he will never be looked at the same way by those who have read the paper, whether he’s completely innocent or not…
Thanks Don as well… he is innocent unless proven guilty.
Additional thanks to the site moderator, free speech is one thing, but Mike, John #1 and Dave… are you serious? How dare you kick a guy when he’s already down… apparently you, like Sarah believe you have the inside track on Judge, Jury and Slander… I challenge you: read THE SHACK, and let me know which one of your children, born or unborn; or cherished friends or family member you would like to see crucified with your words of hatred and judgment. (If you decide to take the challenge w/b and I’ll give you my email address).
I believe the book’s message would go a long way in changing the way you perceive things. I know it has had a tremendous impact on my life.
And Oscar…really a “C” so you’re gonna chime in… with “hate”??? please… The challenge is open to you too.
Jose, I understand that as teachers, we have enough challenges w/o allegations like this, but what if… it were you being charged, and there was an explanation… what if, just for a moment, you were being set up? Were you there? Do you know what, if anything happened? Would you want a bunch of people judging you if the situation was reversed? Why is it you’re judging him as entitled/guilty/pedophile/and belonging in jail? What if you were judged w/ the same measure? We studied this very thing at UCLA – a man, was falsely accused, lost his career, his family, his home, only later to be told sorry… but even in other states, who wants to hire him? teaching was his passion? His wife left him…, his children had to change schools, his neighbors shunned him, and yet it proved to be a false allegation, because he wouldn’t say “yes” to a student’s advances.
You may or may not like Aaron but this is a life altering allegation… how about a little compassion?
Sarah, – I have – been a victim of another’s “brokeness”. But ultimately, “Mother and Wife” could have summed it up too… I wanted to be loved, and I used the wrong methods to try and find it. It was empty and left me feeling shame. I didn’t have a teacher to retaliate against, so I kept my mouth shut… had I had the opportunity to punish the person for not loving me enough to make it “happily ever after”… would I have? I’ll never know… but when it all comes down to it… we all have our varying degrees of brokeness. I just pray, that these two human beings can get on with their healing as soon as possible.
MW – I found your response to Sarah’s comments amazing. I’m glad you put it together… for her and the angry others. What you said is true about the Bible and it’s books and it’s message. I’m not sure there’s anything I can add… but SAD is the most appropriate response I’ve read here. Sad for student and teacher alike, SAD that the accusation could have merit; SAD that it could not have merit; and like “Mother and Wife” insightfully reflects… even if there was a relationship…there are so many pieces none of us have…
For those of us who claim to believe in God – let’s pray… for healing, for justice, for redemption. For those of us who teach, let’s hope and pray we avoid temptation and situations that could make us vulnerable to acusations.
And again, if you’re brave enough to read a book and then comment…. The Shack has sold over 2 million copies and has an amazing inroad for releasing us from judgment, anger and unforgiveness… which tends to tarnish every other situation we come in contact with.
Keep on speaking up MW… if you had a church, I’d seriously reconsider joining yours… it’s judgmentalism that so misrepresents the heart of Christ and turns so many off to the idea of a loving God… with your voice, my beliefs are renewed that God, Love and “Christianity” can and do Co Exist. As Tony Campolo said, “Following God Without Embarrassing Jesus”!
Regardless of whether Aaron and the student crossed a line, God’s love hasn’t changed for either of them, and neither should ours.
Sarah,
I’ve been a victim of plenty of “brokenness” in my life to know that an attitude of vengeance or judgmentalism does nothing but include me in the guilty party and breed bitterness in my life… neither of which I (or those around me) find attractive. Forgiveness is freedom. Not that it comes overnight or without a challenge, but it’s worth the undertaking. Understanding there’s a root reason to why people make mistakes (most often a form of brokenness) and that “mercy triumphs over judgment” (as clearly stated in James) and that God is the only One who knows the heart of man, helps with the process. If you’ve been a victim – of Aaron’s,or anyone else’s, I’m sorry for you. Sorry for whatever has happened to you, and sorry for the steps you’re taking towards healing as you’re clearly marching in the wrong direction… which is unfortunately doing yourself and those around you a terrible disservice. May you find healing from the true Healer instead of perpetuating the damage already incurred.
I have just gone through these comments and “cleaned up” various violations of our site policies. Policies outlined in the “Comments” page which is available as a menu option in the masthead of every page site wide.
Additionally I am deleting four additional comments that were submitted but which did not make it online as they violate our policies in one way or the other.
First, the reputation, experience and similar traits of the alleged victim are NOT germane to the discussion of whether or not a teacher had an inappropriate relationship with a student. By definition of law, the student in such a relationship is a “crime victim”, regardless of any act on the part of the alleged victim. The alleged victim is not accused of a crime, the alleged offender is.
Second, the family of the accused and/or the family of the alleged victim are “off limits” unless the family members of the accused or victim are also accused of involvement in the alleged crime(s). What the parent or parents of the accused does for a living, their wealth, morals and personalities or the lack thereof are not germane to the discussion of the alleged criminal acts of their child.
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Webmaster@badbadteacher.com
I am with MW, I have spent a lot of time with Aaron, and went to college wtih him as well. He is a good guy who has made a very poor decision…we should be praying for him and his family, and supporting them in this time of need, not judging them.