A teacher at Porterville Military Academy, James Van Norton, 45, was found guilty of 16 felonies involving sexual acts including child molestation. (Tulare County DA)
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James Van Norton, 45, was convicted Thursday of child molestation charges, according to the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office.
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A jury found him guilty of three felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse and 13 felony counts of lewd acts upon a child aged 14.
The offenses occurred between August 2018 and March 2019 against a single victim in Tulare County. At the time, Van Norton was employed as a teacher at the Porterville Military Academy.
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Each charge included a special allegation due to his position of trust.
Under California law, he faces up to 14 years and 8 months in state prison and must register as a sex offender for life.
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Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 6.
