A man from Sylmar who taught at a private school in Calabasas was charged on Friday, February 27, 2026, with possessing child sexual abuse material as well as with annoying/molesting four female students who were allegedly photographed in secret.
The teacher, 39-year-old Travis Takeshi Shojinaga, pleaded not guilty to the five criminal charges. He is being held on $1 million bail, despite prosecutors requesting that he be held without bail. According to court records, Travis Takeshi Shojinaga is facing one felony count and four misdemeanor counts.
If convicted, Shojinaga faces up to seven years in state prison. He would also be on the sex offender registry for life.
Shojinaga, who taught at Viewpoint School for 10 years, allegedly secretly took intimate photos of at least four students according to the DA’s office.
He was arrested on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, on campus after an 11-year-old student reported that he was taking inappropriate photos of female students.
The school is a prestigious private school with tuition of about $50,000 per year. The school issued the following statement after Shojinaga’s arrest:
“Yesterday, we learned of troubling allegations against a faculty member. We immediately launched an investigation and notified the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s Lost Hills Station. The employee was subsequently taken into custody, and his employment has been terminated.”
School officials have stated that they are “working closely and cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate the matter.” School officials also added that the allegations against the Calabasas teacher do not involve physical contact.
Reportedly, authorities “believe there may be more victims and encourage anyone with information to call law enforcement.”
Anyone who may have been a victim or with information about the teacher is urged to contact the authorities directly. Information could also be given anonymously.
If you or your child were victims of Shojinaga, it is important that you understand that you could have the right to file a lawsuit. To ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the legal options available to you and your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team as soon as possible. Our lawyers are more than ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to fight for your rights and recover the payout that you are owed.
For mor information about the legal options available to you, contact the Normandie Law Firm today.
Understanding the Extent of Harm Suffered
Although many people may argue that the female students did not suffer any harm as a result of the abuse, that is an unfair assumption. The teacher annoyed/molested the female students who were secretly photographed. Although no physical injuries occurred, students likely suffered extensive psychological harm.
Some examples of the psychological harm that victims may have suffered could include the following:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic
- Fear
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Increased risk of self-harm
- And more
Victims may deal with the aftermath of the abuse for many years, and sometimes even for the rest of their lives.
Can I File a Lawsuit?
In addition to being able to pursue criminal charges, you could have the right to file a lawsuit. Based on the details surrounding the incident surrounding the incident and the harm that occurred, you could have the right to file a lawsuit. More specifically, you could have the right to file a lawsuit against the school for failing to keep their students safe. For more information about your right to file a lawsuit, contact our team as soon as possible.
What Compensation Is Available for Recovery?
Claimants could be entitled to receive compensation if they pursue lawsuits. Some of the different categories of compensation available for recovery could include the following:
- Medical costs
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Treble damages
- Legal fees
Here at the Normandie Law Firm, our team is fully committed to helping victims and their families recover the maximum payout available for their claims. Whether our lawyers have to negotiate a settlement or take your claim to court to reach a fair verdict, you can be certain that our team is fully committed to helping you recover the highest payout available for your claim.
To ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the legal options available to you and your right to file a claim, contact our team today.
Contact the Normandie Law Firm
We understand how difficult it can be for victims and their families to come forward after suffering sexual abuse. Our team here at the Normandie Law Firm are fully committed to providing you with the guidance that you need to file your claim. We are proud to offer free case reviews, which include both free consultations and free second opinions. During these free legal services, our team will be available to answer all your questions, address all your concerns, and provide you with all the information that you may need to take action and recover the payout that you are owed. To schedule your free case review, contact us as soon as possible.
Zero-Fee Guarantee: you will never be responsible for paying any upfront legal costs to speak with our lawyers. In addition, our firm works on a strict contingency basis, meaning that you will not be responsible for legal costs if your claim is not successful. If you do not win, you simply will not pay anything at all.
Contact our firm today to learn more about how we can help you with your child sex abuse lawsuit.
