Lake Elsinore Man Sentenced For Kissing Underage Student

A Lake Elsinore man who served as a teacher in Eastvale was sentenced today to four months in jail and three years probation for kissing a female student.

though a Corona jury hung 8-4 in favor of acquitting him of the more serious charge of lewd acts on a child under 15.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Eric Helgesen today dismissed the felony allegation before sentencing him on the lesser count.

In addition to his jail sentence, Wolford was also ordered to register as a sex offender.

Wolford's attorney, Andrei Lapine, argued unsuccessfully against the government's request to have his client register under California Penal Code section 290, which requires all convicted sex offenders to be listed on a statewide database and alert law enforcement agencies anytime they relocate.

Wolford taught at Eleanor Roosevelt High School until his arrest in December 2010, when he was placed on unpaid leave. The Lake Elsinore resident, who remained free on $25,000 bail leading up to and following his trial, was fired immediately after his conviction.

who filed an arrest warrant affidavit stating that a student at Roosevelt reported that Wolford kissed her just above the left breast while speaking with her alone after class in May 2010.

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

Pabelico said witnesses corroborated the girl's allegations and told him that Wolford paid an inordinate amount of attention to the victim and her friends, telling them, "You're my daughters. I'll take care of you."

According to court records, Wolford has previous traffic-related convictions, but nothing major.