Los Angeles- Harbor Area Detectives of the Los Angeles Police Department are investigating 50 year-old James Duffin, a 4^th and 5^th grade Teacher at Gulf Avenue Elementary School in the city of Wilmington.

On September 17, 2004, Mr. Duffin allegedly fondled two students while they were at school. The first victim reported the incident on September 23, 2004 and the second victim reported the incident on October 1, 2004.

The investigation revealed similar allegations were made against Duffin in the city of Huntington Park in 2001. At the time, the case was rejected due to insufficient evidence. The case was refiled with this new allegation by the Long Beach District Attorney’s Office. Additionally, an unreported incident occurred at Eshelman Avenue Elementary School in the City of Lomita in 2002.

On September 29, 2004, a felony warrant was issued for two counts of 288(b) 1PC (Lewd Acts With a Child) and 1 count of 664 (Attempt Lewd Acts With a Child). On October 4, 2004, Duffin, accompanied by his attorney, Steve Cooper, surrendered at Harbor Community Police Station, where he was booked on the warrant. On October 5, 2004, additional counts of 288(b) 1 PC and 664 PC were added to the original charges. There were a total of five victims named in the complaint.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Martin at, 310-548-282 or 310-548-7621. After hours, please call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

This news release was prepared by Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.