Child Molester Arrested

Hollywood: On Monday, December 3, 2001, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Sexually Exploited Child Unit, arrested 36 year-old Rabbi Mordechai Yomtov for Lewd Acts With Children Under 14 Years of Age.
In November 2001, three students of the Chedar Menachem School in Hollywood, an all boys Jewish school, reported to the LAPD that their Hebrew teacher kept each of them in the classroom and individually molested them. The acts occurred throughout the school year when the other students were at recess. The victims range in age from eight to ten. Officials from the school have been cooperative with the investigators.
On December 5, 2001, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Christina Flemming filed ten felony counts that included Continuous Lewd Acts with a Child Under 14 Years of Age. The Office of the District Attorney suggested that bail be set at 3.5 million dollars. Yomtov was arraigned today in Division 30. Further court dates are pending.
Detectives are requesting assistance from the public in identifying other possible victims. Rabbi Yomtov taught Hebrew at the Chedar Menachem School for the last seven years. His students were boys in the 8-10 year age group. A photograph of Rabbi Yomtov is available at Media Relations Section.
Anyone with information should call Juvenile Division’s Sexually Exploited Child Unit at 213-485-2883 during the week days. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).
This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Grace Brady, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.