A former teacher and official at a pair of private progressive schools in Ojai, Calif., will be returned there to face charges that he sexually assaulted at least one minor in Ventura County during the last decade.
Police arrested 65-year-old Paul Hill Herder on July 12 at a Kalapana Seaview Estates residence.
According to the felony complaint filed July 3 by the Ventura County district attorney’s office, Herder faces 23 felony sex-assault related counts for incidents occurring between June 5, 2014, and June 1, 2017, all against a victim or victims younger than 18 at the time.
The one victim identified by initials was 14 when the first offense allegedly took place.
The alleged acts include lewd act upon a child, luring a minor for sexual purposes, and unlawful sexual intercourse.
The complaint alleges Herder “took advantage of a position of trust and confidence to commit” the offenses.
The complaint was accompanied by an arrest warrant with bail set at $1 million.
According to a court document filed by prosecutors, Herder has signed a waiver of an extradition hearing and has consented to be returned to California.
The Tribune-Herald verified that between 2009 and 2016, Herder was a secondary English teacher at Oak Grove School, a preschool- through 12th-grade progressive day and boarding school in Ojai founded by philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti.
Between 2017 and 2019, Herder was teen program director at Rock Tree Sky, a small Ojai school that, according to its website, offers “experiential education for youth ages pre-K through 18 by providing structures, programs and environments that offer the key values of community collaboration learner agency, and meaningful challenge.”
Herder also is author of the 2012 book, “Revolutionary Minds: The Educational Vision of J. Krishnamurti and Its Practice,” and is a jazz composer and pianist who released at least three albums of music.
According to Herder’s LinkedIn page, since 2019 he has been a freelance executive function coach “providing individualized support for writing, time management and organizational skills.”
According to an acquaintance in California, Herder also has performed private tutoring.
It’s unclear how long Herder has been in Hawaii.
A control date — which is a hearing that will only take place if California authorities don’t take Herder back to Ventura County first — has been set for 8:30 a.m. Aug. 15 before Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
