Local Teacher Arrested for Inappropriate Sexual Relationship with Students NR11556cj

November 29, 2011

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Harbor Division detectives are seeking to identify any additional victims of 36-year-old Anthony “Tony” Angellano of Wilmington.   Angellano was arrested on Monday, November 28, 2011, for multiple counts related to sexual misconduct with victims under 18 years old.

In August 2011, a former female student at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School reported that while she was a 16 or 17 year-old junior in 2006, her dance instructor, Angellano, engaged in an improper sexual relationship with her that lasted her junior and senior year.  At the time of the relationship, Angellano was 31 years old.  

Detectives from Harbor Area began an investigation into this matter, which involved several interviews of current and former students.  The investigation identified a second victim who attended Peninsula High School in 2000 and. At that time she also was a student in Angellano’s dance class.  The current students of Angellano’s classes were also interviewed and, to date, no additional victims have been identified.  

On October 24, 2011, Harbor Area Detectives met with the principle of and the superintendant of Peninsula High School.  Afterwards, Angellano was removed from the classroom and placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.  On November 15, 2011, the information was presented to the District Attorney’s office, and five criminal counts of oral copulation and one count of digital penetration were filed.  

On November 28, 2011, Angellano was arrested by Harbor Area detectives and transported to 77th Street Regional Jail where he was booked.  His bail is set at $350,000.

Anthony Angellano stands 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighs 125 pounds and wears his hair short.  Detectives investigating the case believe there may be additional victims.  

Anyone with information about this case or any unreported cases is asked to call LAPD Harbor Area Detective Geary at 310-726-7915 or Detective Gasparian at 310-726-7916.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.