A high school guidance counselor learns of his sentence for sexually abusing a 16-year-old boy

An emotionally charged courtroom, relatives in tears and particularly harsh words addressed to a former trusted figure of a high school: in Los Angeles, the sentencing of Julie Tichon revived a case that upset much more than a single student. While the justice had just made its decision, the testimony of the victim’s family highlighted the lasting consequences of this case on an entire entourage. Behind the verdict, it is also the story of a weakened family and a still marked school community that was told in court.

Former guidance counsellor convicted in Los Angeles

Julie Tichon, a former guidance counselor at a high school in Los Angeles, was sentenced to two years probation in a case involving a 16-year-old student.

The former employee of YULA High School, a modern Orthodox Jewish high school in western Los Angeles, appeared in court after pleading not guilty to two counts: illegal sexual relations with a minor over three years his youngest and sexual act on a person under the age of 18.

According to the evidence presented in the case, the events took place between February and March 2024. The victim, aged 16 at the time of the incident, was then a student at the school where Julie Tichon worked. The latter had visited the authorities in August 2024.

The shocking statements of the victim’s family

Before the sentence was pronounced, several members of the young man’s family spoke before the court.

Sara, the victim’s sister, read five letters written by relatives. In her speech, she described a family already deeply affected by the sudden death of their mother in 2023.

According to her, her brother was going through a particularly difficult period when the events occurred. She claimed that Julie Tichon had attacked a vulnerable teenager at a time when he was trying to cope with his grief and the challenges of adolescence.

The emotion was also palpable in the letter of Phani, another sister of the victim. She recounted how rumors about an inappropriate relationship had disrupted their daily lives in the school.

“I was isolated and alone. My brother was the victim, but it was me who was judged,” she wrote, referring to the feeling of shame and exclusion she felt.

A case that has shaken a whole community

For the young man’s relatives, the impact of this case was not limited to the family circle.

Sara explained to the court that their small religious community had been deeply shaken by the revelations. In a particularly harsh testimony, she called the former guidance counselor “monster,” “predator” and dangerous person.

She also expressed her anger at what she sees as a betrayal of the trust placed in a professional who is responsible for accompanying students.

While reading the letters, Julie Tichon sat next to her lawyer, Tariq Khero, listening to the statements without looking away.

The regrets expressed after the verdict

At the end of the hearing, Julie Tichon spoke briefly to the press. Accompanied by her mother, she said she was sorry and said she hoped that this situation had never happened.

His lawyer said he advised him to plead not guilty. He also pointed out that his client was also going through a difficult period at the time of the incident, stating that she had lost a brother by suicide. He insisted, however, that this was by no means an excuse.

According to him, Julie Tichon is now pursuing a therapeutic follow-up to prevent such a situation from happening again.

Probation includes, but is not limited to, a ten-year sex offender registry, a continuing therapy, a ban on approaching within 100 metres of the victim, and the future payment of compensation, the amount of which will be determined at a subsequent hearing.

In a courtroom filled with emotional relatives, the verdict marked a new stage in a case whose consequences continue to be felt far beyond the court.