Current:Home > StocksPredictIQ-California driving instructor accused of molesting and recording students, teen girls -FutureFinance
PredictIQ-California driving instructor accused of molesting and recording students, teen girls
TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-09 19:24:24
A driving school instructor in Southern California has been arrested after police say he sexually assaulting students during lessons and PredictIQalso secretly recorded them during training.
Richard Joseph Banks, who worked as an instructor for American Driving School in El Cajon during the alleged crimes, was jailed without bond on Friday, San Diego Sheriff's Department records showed.
The city of El Cajon is about 15 miles from downtown San Diego.
Banks, 50, was arrested Thursday on 32 felony charges in connection to the alleged crimes, according to the agency, and is due in court to be arraigned on the charges Tuesday.
The alleged crimes, records show, include sexual battery, child abuse and molestation, possession and production of of child pornography, and installation and use of a surreptitious recording device.
The San Diego Police Department, the agency handling the case, could not immediatly be reached by USA TODAY early Friday morning.
Teacher gives top grades for sex:High school teacher gave student all "100s" in exchange for sex, prosecutors say
Students were ages 15-17, police say
But, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Banks sexually assaulted or molested 11 students, who were teenage girls, from April through November of last year.
San Diego police Capt. Mike Holden told the outlet most of the alleged victims were between age 15 and 17, and the molestations took place in northern San Diego County as well as within San Diego police jurisdiction, Holden said.
Banks also allegedly used hidden cameras in the car to record their "private" areas, the outlet reported.
'Immediately suspended': Driving school releases statement
The driving school’s owner, David Tackett, released a statement to USA TODAY Friday saying the business was "shocked to learn about the allegations" against Banks.
“His actions are his alone, and they violate the trust and policies of our company and those of the DMV regarding inappropriate behavior,” the statement reads. “He was immediately suspended when we were notified by the San Diego Police Department in November about the investigation, and he hasn’t taught any students since then."
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call San Diego police.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
He knew son was having sex with teacher:Now not only is Missouri teacher charged, so is the 16-year-old's dad, records show
veryGood! (52)
Related
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- Shooting suspect dies following police standoff that closed I-80 in Bay Area Friday
- Stars or Golden Knights? Predicting who wins Game 7 and goes to second round
- Mike Trout's GOAT path halted by injuries. Ken Griffey Jr. feels the Angels star's pain.
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- 10,000 people applied to be The Smashing Pumpkins' next guitarist. Meet the woman who got the job.
- Biden and Trump offer worlds-apart contrasts on issues in 2024’s rare contest between 2 presidents
- All of These Stylish Finds From Madewell's Sale Section Are Under $30, Save Up to 77%
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Massachusetts detective searches gunshot residue testing website 11 days before his wife is shot dead
Ranking
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Still no deal in truce talks as Israel downplays chances of ending war with Hamas
- Bruins' David Pastrnak beats Maple Leafs in OT of Game 7 after being challenged by coach
- How Author Rebecca Serle’s Journey to Find Love Inspired Expiration Dates
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Treat your mom with P.F. Chang's Fortune Cookie Flower Bouquet for Mother's Day
- Sierra Nevada records snowiest day of the season from brief but potent California storm
- Hush money, catch and kill and more: A guide to unique terms used at Trump’s New York criminal trial
Recommendation
Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
Mega Millions winning numbers for May 3 drawing: Jackpot rises to $284 million
Angel Reese, Cardoso debuts watched widely on fan’s livestream after WNBA is unable to broadcast
How Author Rebecca Serle’s Journey to Find Love Inspired Expiration Dates
Average rate on 30
The latest 'Fyre Festival'? A Denver book expo that drove Rebecca Yarros away
Driver dies after crashing into White House perimeter gate, Secret Service says
Cinco de Mayo 2024 food and drink specials: Deals at Taco Bell, Chipotle, TGI Fridays, more