Arraignment Postponed For Lake Elsinore Man Charged With Lewd Act On A Child

At the request of his attorney, arraignment was postponed today for a Lake Elsinore man accused of kissing a female student on her chest and head.

Stephen James Wolford, 48, a teacher at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Eastvale, is charged with one count each of committing lewd acts on a child and annoying a child under 18 years old.

Wolford, who is free on $25,000 bail, was slated to be arraigned this afternoon before Riverside County Superior Judge James T. Warren. But Wolford's attorney requested a delay for unspecified reasons, without objection from the prosecution.

Warren rescheduled the hearing for Wednesday of next week.

Wolford was arrested in December following an investigation by Riverside County sheriff's detectives.

According to a declaration filed in support of an arrest warrant executed by sheriff's Investigator Joel Pabelico, a student at Roosevelt alleged that Wolford kissed her just above the left breast while speaking with her alone after class last May.

The girl, whose identity was not released, also alleged that on four separate occasions, Wolford kissed her on the forehead.

Pabelico said witnesses corroborated the allegations and related that "Wolford focused his attention (on the victim) and made comments to her and her friends,'' allegedly saying, "'You're my daughters. I'll take care of you.'''

Michael Lin, the Norco-Unified School District assistant superintendent of Human Resources, told City News Service that Wolford is on mandatory unpaid leave from his teaching job. His status will not change until his case is adjudicated, according to Lin.--City News Service

Original story posted 2/9:

A Lake Elsinore man who is accused of kissing a female student on her chest and head is slated to be arraigned tomorrow in Riverside on felony and misdemeanor charges.

Stephen James Wolford, 48, is charged with one count each of committing a lewd act on a child and annoying a child under 18 years old.

The Eleanor Roosevelt High School teacher was arrested in December following an investigation by Riverside County sheriff's detectives.

According to a declaration filed in support of an arrest warrant executed by sheriff's Investigator Joel Pabelico, a student at Roosevelt alleged that Wolford kissed her just above the left breast while speaking with her alone after class last May.

The girl, whose identity was not released, also alleged that on four separate occasions, Wolford kissed her on the forehead.

Pabelico said witnesses corroborated the allegations and related that "Wolford focused his attention (on the victim) and made comments to her and her friends,'' allegedly saying, '"You're my daughters. I'll take care of you.'''

Wolford remains free on a $25,000 bond.

Michael Lin, the Norco-Unified School District assistant superintendent of Human Resources, told City News Service that Wolford is on mandatory unpaid leave from his teaching job. His status will not change until his case is adjudicated, according to Lin.--City News Service