Jury selection got under way today for the trial of an Eastvale teacher accused of kissing a female student

Jury selection got under way today for the trial of an Eastvale teacher accused of kissing a female student on the chest and head.

Stephen James Wolford, 49, of Lake Elsinore could face four years in prison if convicted of lewd acts on a child under 15 years old, a felony, and a misdemeanor count of annoying a child under 18.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Eric Helgesen heard pretrial motions in the case Tuesday and summoned several panels of prospective jurors to his Corona courtroom today for screening as to their availability and suitability.

Opening statements in the case are expected tomorrow.

Wolford, who remains free on $25,000 bail, was arrested in December 2010 following an investigation by sheriff’s detectives. The Eleanor Roosevelt High School teacher is on mandatory unpaid leave pending the outcome of his case, according to Norco-Unified School District officials.

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According to an arrest warrant affidavit filed by sheriff’s Investigator Joel Pabelico, a student at Roosevelt alleged that Wolford kissed her just above the left breast while speaking with her alone after class in May 2010.

The girl, whose identity was not released, also alleged that on four separate occasions, Wolford kissed her on the forehead.

Pabelico said witnesses corroborated the allegations and told him that “Wolford focused his attention (on the victim) and made comments to her and her friends,” allegedly saying, ” ‘You’re my daughters. I’ll take care of you.’ “

Prosecutors recently offered a plea deal that calls for probation and no prison time for the defendant, but Advertisement

[ Chatton and Associates ] there was no response, according to court records.

Jury selection to get underway for teacher accused of kissing female student

CORONA – Jury selection is slated to get under way today for the trial of an Eastvale teacher accused of kissing a female student on the chest and head.

Stephen James Wolford, 49, could face four years in prison if convicted of lewd acts on a child under 15 years old, a felony, and a misdemeanor count of annoying a child under 18.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Eric Helgesen heard pretrial motions in the case Tuesday at the Corona Courthouse and is expected to summon prospective jurors to his courtroom today for screening as to their availability and suitability.

Wolford remains free on $25,000 bail.

The Lake Elsinore man was arrested in December 2010 following an investigation by sheriff’s detectives. The Eleanor Roosevelt High School teacher is on mandatory unpaid leave pending the outcome of his case, according to Norco-Unified School District officials.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit filed by sheriff’s Investigator Joel Pabelico, a student at Roosevelt alleged that Wolford kissed her just above the left breast while speaking with her alone after class in May 2010.

The girl, whose identity was not released, also alleged that on four separate occasions, Wolford kissed her on the forehead.

Pabelico said witnesses corroborated the allegations and told him that “Wolford focused his attention (on the victim) and made comments to her and her friends,” allegedly saying, ” ‘You’re my daughters. I’ll take care of you.’ “

Source : myvalleynews