Were You Abused at La Sierra Academy by Matthew Daniel Johnson?

Attorney, Bobby Thompson of TLO Law, P.C. filed a civil lawsuit in Riverside County Superior Court on behalf of a former student, identified as John Doe (John Doe, et al. vs. La Sierra Academy, et al., Case No. CVRI2101583). The complaint alleged that John Doe was sexually exploited by Matthew Daniel Johnson while attending La Sierra Academy in Riverside, California.

According to the lawsuit and publicly available law enforcement records, Johnson was arrested on March 5, 2020, following an investigation by the Fontana Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Investigators reported discovering that Johnson was in possession of more than 500 photographs and images involving the sexual abuse of minors.

The investigation further revealed allegations that Johnson installed a concealed camera inside a boys’ restroom at La Sierra Academy, which was used to secretly record nude minor students without their knowledge or consent. The lawsuit alleged that John Doe was among the children recorded. Following Johnson’s arrest, the investigation expanded, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation became involved.

At the time of the alleged conduct, Johnson worked as a counselor, advisor, and youth mentor at La Sierra Academy and related school programs. The lawsuit alleged that he used his position of trust and authority to gain access to students and restricted areas on campus. It further alleged that school officials were aware Johnson spent excessive and unusual amounts of time with minor students and had unrestricted access to the boys’ restroom yet failed to take reasonable steps to limit his access or protect students.

In or around March or April 2020, John Doe’s parents were notified by law enforcement that their child had been identified as one of the minors recorded during the investigation. The lawsuit alleged that, following this disclosure, John Doe suffered significant emotional and psychological harm, including anxiety, fear, and trauma associated with the sexual exploitation.

The complaint alleged that Johnson’s conduct constituted sexual exploitation of a minor under California law and was carried out for his own sexual gratification. The lawsuit further alleged that the institutional defendants failed to take reasonable measures to prevent the abuse or respond appropriately once warning signs were present, allowing the exploitation to occur.

As a result of the alleged abuse and institutional failures, the lawsuit sought damages for emotional distress, long-term psychological harm, and other losses suffered by the plaintiff. While the defendants denied liability, the matter was ultimately resolved through a confidential settlement. The case raised broader concerns about child safety, institutional accountability, and the responsibility of schools and youth programs to protect children from sexual exploitation.

Anyone with information regarding Matthew Daniel Johnson or other incidents of sexual abuse or inappropriate conduct involving teachers or employees of La Sierra Academy is encouraged to contact TLO Law, P.C. at 650-513-6111. Survivors of childhood sexual abuse and their families may have legal rights and are encouraged to seek confidential legal guidance.

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