Last Updated: March 2026
Travis Takeshi Shojinaga, a Calabasas teacher at the elite Viewpoint School, has been arrested and charged with child molestation and possession of child sexual abuse material. Investigators believe there are more victims who have not yet come forward.
If you or your child were victimized, you may have a civil claim for damages. Call Dordulian Law Group at (866) GO-SEE-SAM for your free, confidential Calabasas sexual assault attorney consultation.
On February 25, 2026, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department detectives responded to Viewpoint School on Mulholland Highway in Calabasas and arrested Travis Takeshi Shojinaga, 39, of Sylmar, on felony charges related to the possession of child sexual abuse material. The arrest came after an 11-year-old student bravely reported to school officials that her teacher had been secretly taking photographs of her and her friends.
Shojinaga had taught at Viewpoint School for over a decade, building what appeared from the outside to be a trusted relationship with students and families. Viewpoint is a prestigious private school serving approximately 1,200 students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade, with annual tuition ranging from approximately $45,580 to $54,520 per year. The school has educated the children of affluent families from across the Los Angeles area since it opened in 1961.
On February 27, 2026, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office formally charged Shojinaga in case number 26VWCF00455 with:
The misdemeanor child annoyance charges reflect conduct motivated by sexual interest in a minor, and encompass the alleged secret and intimate photography of at least four female students on campus. Viewpoint School has stated that no physical contact with students was reported in connection with these charges. Shojinaga pleaded not guilty to all counts at his February 28, 2026 arraignment.
Despite the prosecution requesting that Shojinaga be held without bail, the court set bail at $1 million. He has remained in custody since his arrest. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12, 2026, in Department 105 of the Van Nuys Courthouse, at which time a hearing date will be set to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial. If convicted on all charges, Shojinaga faces up to seven years in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Cindy Wallace of the LA County District Attorney’s Sex Crimes Division.
This case is far from closed. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and the LA County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Bureau have made it clear: they believe there are more victims who have not yet come forward.
In a public statement, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said:
“The accusations in this case are disgusting and deliberate violations of children’s safety, dignity and rights. Our community’s schools are meant to be safe and protected environments for youths. We believe there may be more victims and encourage anyone with information to call law enforcement. Anyone who chooses to commit crimes against children, especially on a school campus, will be criminally prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Shojinaga worked at Viewpoint School for more than 10 years. Over that decade, he had access to hundreds of students across all grade levels. The scope of the alleged misconduct – and the likelihood of additional unreported victims – cannot be overstated. The length of time he was employed there and his ongoing access to children raises serious questions about what the school knew, when they knew it, and what safeguards, if any, were in place to protect students.
If your child was ever a student in Shojinaga’s class, or if you have any reason to believe your child may have been photographed or targeted, please contact law enforcement and speak with an attorney immediately.
Viewpoint School’s Head of School, Mark McKee, issued a letter to the school community following Shojinaga’s arrest. In his letter, McKee stated that administrators contacted law enforcement as soon as they learned of the accusations and that Shojinaga’s employment was immediately terminated.
McKee also announced that the school would offer counseling resources to students and families, and that Viewpoint would conduct its own internal investigation with the assistance of an outside party.
While these steps are appropriate responses, families should understand that the school’s internal investigation is not a substitute for legal accountability. An institution conducting its own investigation has inherent limitations – and the priority of any victim or victim’s family should be protecting their rights with the help of an independent, experienced legal advocate.
Child sexual abuse material – commonly referred to as CSAM – includes any image, video, or other depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit or suggestive conduct. Under California law, possession of CSAM is a felony offense. The psychological harm caused to victims depicted in such material is recognized as severe and ongoing, because the existence of the material means the abuse is, in a sense, never-ending.
The “annoying or molesting a child” charges (California Penal Code § 647.6) cover conduct motivated by sexual interest in a minor, even absent physical contact. Courts and legal experts recognize that such conduct – including secret, non-consensual photography – constitutes a profound violation of a child’s safety, dignity, and autonomy.
These are not minor charges. They represent a systematic betrayal of trust by a person in a position of authority over children, carried out over what investigators may determine was an extended period of time.
California law holds schools – including private institutions – responsible for maintaining the safety of their students. When a teacher or staff member sexually abuses or exploits a student, the school itself may bear civil liability if it:
This means that in addition to the criminal case against Shojinaga, victims and their families may have the right to pursue a civil lawsuit against Viewpoint School for monetary damages. Civil claims are entirely separate from the criminal process and can proceed regardless of the outcome of the criminal case.
Under California law, victims of childhood sexual abuse have significant legal protections. AB 452, California’s landmark legislation eliminating the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims, may provide additional protections depending on when the abuse occurred. Our attorneys can help you understand exactly which laws apply to your specific situation.
Through a civil lawsuit, survivors and their families may be entitled to recover damages for:
Every case is different. The attorneys at Dordulian Law Group will thoroughly review your situation, explain your options, and fight aggressively on your behalf – at no cost to you unless we win.
At Dordulian Law Group, we understand that coming forward after sexual abuse – or learning that your child has been victimized – is one of the most difficult and overwhelming experiences a family can face. Our dedicated SAJE Team (Sexual Assault Justice Experts) exists for exactly this reason.
Our firm is led by Sam Dordulian, a former Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney with over 100 jury trial victories. Sam spent years prosecuting the very types of crimes described in this case before founding the firm and dedicating it to fighting for survivors. He knows how these cases are built, how institutions try to minimize liability, and how to hold every responsible party accountable.
We have successfully represented survivors of school sexual abuse, teacher misconduct, institutional abuse, and CSAM exploitation throughout Los Angeles County, the San Fernando Valley, and across all of California.
When you call us, you will speak directly with a compassionate, experienced attorney – not a call center. We offer free, completely confidential consultations, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
The law enforcement investigation into Travis Shojinaga is ongoing. Time is critical. Evidence can be lost, memories can fade, and legal deadlines – while expanded in California – do still exist.
We urge you to take the following steps immediately:
You do not have to navigate this alone. The attorneys at Dordulian Law Group are here to protect your family’s rights, hold Viewpoint School and all responsible parties accountable, and help survivors find justice.
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?
Dordulian Law Group – Sexual Assault Justice Experts (SAJE Team)
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