Ballet Instructor Arrested For Alleged Sexual Assault Of Student

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A ballet instructor has been arrested for the alleged sexual assault of a student under the age of 14 in Contra Costa County. 54-year-old Viktor Nikolaevich Kabaniaev was arrested Friday at his home in San Mateo.

At the time of his arrest, Kabaniaev taught at Westlake School for the Performing Arts in Daly City. However, he had previously taught in the East Bay. It has not been disclosed where Kabaniaev met his alleged victim. Paul J. Graves, Senior Deputy District Attorney for Contra Costa County, told Patch, "I am not releasing any other information because it may tend to disclose the identity of Jane Doe."

The charges follow a month long investigation by the Contra Costa County DA's Office. The arrest warrant listed 16 counts against Kabaniaev. The current age of his alleged victim is not readily available.

The DA's Office is asking other possible victims to come forward. The phone number of the Contra Costa County DA's Office is (925) 256-3541. You may also reach out by email: da-commentary-feedback@contracostada.org

The arrest follows the high profile sentencing of the former doctor for USA Women's Gymnastics, Larry Nassar, who last week received up to 175 years in prison for the serial sexual assault of young gymnasts. A member of the DA's office reminds parents to be vigilant with their child's safety, even when someone is a position of trust.

Kabaniaev has posted many videos of students on YouTube, and posted the above video of himself last October.

-Image and video via YouTube