Former Covelo Group Contractor Faces 8 Criminal Counts; Parents Urged to Come Forward as Investigation Continues
Joseph Vladimir Sanchez, a 25-year-old special education assistant, has been arrested and accused of sexually abusing multiple children at two local elementary schools. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has charged Sanchez with eight serious counts related to child sexual abuse, including possession of child sexual assault material. With investigators believing additional victims may exist dating back three years, families whose children attended Columbus Elementary School or Glenoaks Elementary School – or had contact with Covelo Group contractors – are urged to come forward.
If you believe your child may have been a victim of Joseph Sanchez, contact us immediately for a free, confidential consultation at (866) GO-SEE-SAM.
If your child was a student at either school or had any contact with Joseph Sanchez, it’s critical that you understand your legal rights. At Dordulian Law Group, our Sexual Assault Justice Experts (SAJE) Team has spent decades fighting for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Led by attorney Sam Dordulian – a former Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney with over 100 jury trial victories – our firm has recovered over $150 million for victims with a 98% success rate.
According to a report from CBS News, on December 20, 2024, the Glendale Police Department arrested Joseph Vladimir Sanchez following allegations that he sexually abused an 8-year-old special needs student at a Glendale elementary school. The case quickly escalated as investigators uncovered evidence suggesting a pattern of abuse spanning multiple victims.
On February 4, 2025, Sanchez appeared for arraignment where he was formally charged with eight criminal counts, including:
The court set Sanchez’s bail at $6 million—an amount that reflects the serious and aggravated nature of the allegations. Sanchez pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains in custody as the criminal investigation continues.
Multiple Victims Identified – More May Exist
What began as a single report has expanded significantly. According to the Glendale Police Department, investigators have now identified at least three underage victims—the initial 8-year-old special needs student plus two additional children who came forward after Sanchez’s arrest.
Critically, detectives believe there may be additional victims dating back as far as three years. This timeline is particularly concerning given Sanchez’s access to vulnerable special needs children at multiple schools over an extended period.
Joseph Sanchez was not a direct employee of the Glendale Unified School District (GUSD) or the City of Glendale. Instead, he worked as a contracted special education assistant through the Covelo Group, a staffing agency that provides educational support personnel to schools.
According to Glendale PD, Sanchez was specifically assigned to work at:
Why the Covelo Group Connection Matters
The fact that Sanchez worked through a contractor like the Covelo Group raises serious questions about:
This last question is particularly urgent. Contracted educational workers often rotate between multiple schools, districts, and even counties. If your child attended any school where Covelo Group provided staffing, and your child had contact with a special education assistant matching Sanchez’s description, you should contact authorities immediately.
The allegations against Joseph Sanchez are particularly disturbing because they involve special needs students—children who are among the most vulnerable to abuse.
Why Predators Target Special Needs Students
Research consistently shows that children with disabilities face significantly higher rates of sexual abuse than their non-disabled peers. Predators deliberately seek positions of authority over special needs students because:
Trust Betrayed: The Role of Special Education Assistants
Special education assistants like Joseph Sanchez occupy a unique position of trust and authority. These professionals work closely with vulnerable children, often in intimate settings involving:
Parents of special needs children must place enormous trust in these professionals. When that trust is violated through sexual abuse, the trauma is compounded by the betrayal of someone the child depended on for basic care and safety.
In cases like this, multiple parties may bear legal responsibility for the abuse:
As Sanchez’s employer, the Covelo Group has potential liability for:
Critical question for investigators: Did the Covelo Group place Sanchez at other schools or districts? If so, there may be victims beyond Glendale who have not yet been identified.
Although Sanchez was a contractor rather than a district employee, GUSD may still face liability for:
Columbus Elementary and Glenoaks Elementary administrators may bear responsibility for:
Sexual abuse of children often goes undetected because victims may not disclose what happened, especially if they are young, disabled, or threatened by their abuser. Parents should watch for:
Behavioral Changes
Physical Signs
Emotional Indicators
If your child exhibits any of these signs, or if they disclose abuse, contact law enforcement immediately and then call (866) GO-SEE-SAM to speak with our SAJE Team about protecting your child’s legal rights.
The Glendale Police Department has made clear that this investigation is ongoing and that additional victims may exist. Investigators have released Sanchez’s booking photo and are asking anyone with information to contact the department.
Who Should Contact Police
You should reach out to Glendale PD at (818) 548-4840 if:
Why Coming Forward Matters
Many abuse survivors—and their families—struggle with whether to report. Common concerns include:
Every report helps investigators build a complete picture of Sanchez’s conduct and may prevent future abuse of other children.
At Dordulian Law Group, our Sexual Assault Justice Experts (SAJE) Team has dedicated decades to fighting for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. We understand the unique challenges these cases present, and we know how to hold institutions accountable.
Why Choose Dordulian Law Group?
Experience That Matters Sam Dordulian is a former Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney who prosecuted criminal cases for years before dedicating his practice to representing victims. With over 100 jury trial victories as a prosecutor, Sam understands how perpetrators operate and how institutions fail to protect children.
Proven Track Record Our firm has recovered over $150 million for victims of sexual abuse and maintains a 98% success rate. We have successfully represented survivors in cases against schools, churches, youth organizations, and other institutions.
Specialized Knowledge Our SAJE Team focuses exclusively on sexual assault cases. We understand the trauma, the legal complexities, and the institutional dynamics that allow abuse to occur. We know how to investigate, how to hold multiple parties accountable, and how to maximize compensation for our clients.
Compassionate Representation We treat every client with dignity, respect, and sensitivity. We understand that coming forward is difficult, especially for children and families dealing with the aftermath of abuse. Our team works to make the legal process as manageable as possible while fighting aggressively for justice.
What We Do for Our Clients
When you retain Dordulian Law Group, we:
Free Confidential Consultation
We offer every potential client a free, confidential consultation to discuss their situation and legal options. There is no obligation and no cost to meet with our team.
During your consultation, we will:
We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
While AB 452 eliminates the statute of limitations for abuse occurring after January 1, 2024, that doesn’t mean you should delay. Early action provides significant advantages:
Most importantly, survivors and their families deserve answers, accountability, and healing. Every day you wait is another day without the support and resources you need to move forward.
If your child may have been victimized by Joseph Vladimir Sanchez—whether at Columbus Elementary School, Glenoaks Elementary School, or any other location where he worked—please reach out to us immediately.
Call (866) GO-SEE-SAM or (866) 467-3372 for a free, confidential consultation.
You can also contact us through our website at www.dordulianlaw.com or visit our Los Angeles office.
Our SAJE Team is standing by to help you understand your rights, navigate this difficult time, and pursue justice for your child. Don’t wait—California law protects survivors, and Dordulian Law Group fights for them.
Together, we can hold those responsible accountable and help your child heal.
Dordulian Law Group is a leading California personal injury and sexual abuse law firm dedicated to representing survivors of institutional abuse. Led by Sam Dordulian, a former Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney with over 100 jury trial victories, our firm has recovered over $150 million for clients and maintains a 98% success rate.
Our Sexual Assault Justice Experts (SAJE) Team specializes in cases involving childhood sexual abuse, institutional negligence, and survivor rights. We represent clients throughout California and handle cases against schools, religious organizations, youth programs, and other institutions that fail to protect children.
For immediate assistance, call (866) GO-SEE-SAM – Free confidential consultations available.
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