A driving school instructor in Southern California has been apprehended for allegedly sexually assaulting students and covertly recording them during lessons.
Richard Joseph Banks, employed as an instructor at American Driving School in El Cajon at the time of the reported offenses, was detained without bond last week, according to San Diego Sheriff’s Department records.
In the vicinity of downtown San Diego, about 15 miles away, the arrest of 50-year-old Banks unfolded in the city of El Cajon. He was taken into custody on 32 felony charges linked to the alleged crimes, as reported by the agency.
Banks is set to appear in court for arraignment on Tuesday to address the charges. According to records, the purported offenses encompass a range of charges, including sexual battery, child abuse, molestation, possession and production of child pornography, as well as the installation and use of a covert recording device.
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According to reports, USA TODAY was unable to immediately reach the San Diego Police Department, the agency responsible for handling the case. However, as reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune, Banks is alleged to have sexually assaulted or molested 11 students, all of whom were teenage girls, spanning the period from April through November of the previous year.
According to San Diego police Capt. Mike Holden, the majority of the purported victims were between the ages of 15 and 17, with the incidents occurring in both northern San Diego County and within the jurisdiction of the San Diego police.
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Banks also allegedly used hidden cameras in the car to record their “private” areas, the outlet reported. The driving school’s owner, David Tackett, released a statement to USA TODAY 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 the San Diego Police Department notified us in November about the investigation, and he hasn’t taught any students since then.”
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Tackett mentioned that Banks had successfully cleared a government background check before hiring. Investigators formally booked Banks into Vista Jail on 32 charges. These charges encompass suspicion of child abuse and molestation, sexual battery, possession and production of child sexual abuse material, as well as the installation and use of a covert recording device.
Holden stated that investigators suspect additional victims may be connected to the case. He urged anyone with relevant information to contact the police department’s Northeastern Division at (858) 538-8026 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
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