Dance Instructor Suspected Of Ongoing Child Molestation, Cops Say

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — A city of Orange resident was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of felony child molestation, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said in a recent release. Investigators arrested Brandon Jacob Nease, 25, who they say committed "multiple lewd acts on a 13-year-old boy beginning in 2011."

For the past one and a half years, Nease has been a drama teacher at Costa Mesa High School, OCSD spokeswoman Carrie Braun said.

He served as a dance instructor at many orange county facilities, including:

• the Boys and Girls Club in Tustin and Fountain Valley beginning in 2013;
• from 2015 to 2017, was the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Musical Theatre West in Long Beach;
• from 2012 to 2015, Nease was a dance specialist at Camp James in Newport Beach;
• From 2008 to 2016, Nease was the Choreographer/Director for the Musical Theater Village in Irvine.

"Nease worked closely with children in each of his roles as a dance instructor," Braun said. "Due to Nease having continued access and contact with children over the past seven years, investigators believe there may be additional victims."

Nease posted $100,000 bond this morning and was since released from custody, according to the OCSD.

Please contact the Special Victims Detail at (714) 647-7419 if you have any information. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

OCSD Photo