Prosecutors say the 37-year-old no longer works at the school and pleaded not guilty.
LOS ANGELES, CA — A former guidance counselor at a private West Los Angeles high school has been charged with multiple sex crimes after authorities say she had an unlawful sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student between February and March 2024. The counselor, identified by prosecutors as Julie Elizabeth Tichon, 37, was arrested in late August 2024, arraigned Sept. 19, and released on her own recognizance pending further proceedings.
Officials said the case centers on repeated encounters that allegedly occurred off campus and in private settings while Tichon worked at Yeshiva University High School of Los Angeles, known as YULA. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed three felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor more than three years younger and one felony count of oral copulation of a person under 18. The Los Angeles Police Department has asked potential witnesses to come forward as detectives examine whether additional victims exist. Tichon no longer works at the school. She has denied the allegations in court.
According to charging documents and police statements, investigators allege the sexual acts took place several times over roughly a six-week period in early 2024. Detectives with the LAPD’s Operations West Bureau opened the case after a report from the school community and interviewed the teen and others familiar with the timeline. District Attorney George Gascón said the case reflects a “breach of trust” by an adult who held a position of authority over students. In court on Sept. 19, Tichon entered a not-guilty plea and was ordered to follow standard release terms while the case proceeds.
Police officials said the teen was a student at YULA, a private Orthodox Jewish high school in West L.A. They said evidence includes interviews, records and digital communications gathered under search warrants. While authorities detailed four felony counts, they did not publicly disclose the precise number of alleged encounters beyond those outlined by prosecutors. LAPD detectives said they believe there may be additional witnesses or victims but did not identify them. The school confirmed that Tichon is no longer employed and said administrators alerted authorities after learning of alleged misconduct.
Records indicate Tichon worked at the campus for several years before the investigation began. The alleged timeline places the earliest reported encounters in February 2024, followed by more in March. News of the arrest circulated after detectives announced a call for additional information in late August 2024. By September, prosecutors had filed the case, and media outlets reported the not-guilty plea and release terms. The case drew attention in West L.A., where several private schools operate near major corridors including Pico and Beverly, and where parents often rely on counselors for academic and emotional support services.
Court filings show Tichon faces a potential state prison sentence if convicted on the felony counts. After the Sept. 19 arraignment, a preliminary hearing was set for Nov. 1, 2024, to determine whether sufficient evidence existed to move the case toward trial. As of now, officials have not publicly reported a trial verdict. Prosecutors said their office continues to coordinate with detectives and the teen’s family, while defense counsel has not commented in detail beyond the plea. Civil attorneys later filed lawsuits naming the school over alleged negligence; those cases remain in early stages and separate from the criminal matter.
Outside the campus, some parents described a mix of anger and worry. One father said the allegations “shook our trust in the adults we count on,” while a recent graduate said friends were “confused and upset” by the news. In a message to families, school leaders said they notified law enforcement and removed the employee from her role, adding that counselors were available to students who had questions. An LAPD detective said investigators are continuing to review tips and “want to hear from anyone with relevant information.”
As of Friday, authorities say the criminal case remains open, with no announced verdict. The next expected milestone is a court update on scheduling and any rulings tied to evidence. Officials said they will release further information as allowed by the court and ongoing investigative needs.
Author note: Last updated January 23, 2026.