한인들이 다수 거주하고 있는 캘리포니아 어바인 지역에서 학생들에게 바이올린을 가르치던 한인 피터 권(32) 씨가 아동 성추행 혐의로 16일 체포됐다.



어바인 경찰국에 따르면 이날 오전 11시 55분쯤 권 씨를 그의 집 앞에서 체포했다고 밝혔다. 권씨는 14세 이하를 대상으로 한 음란행위 및 10살 이하 아동의 주요 부위를 손으로 접촉한 혐의 등을받고 있다.

그는 지난 2005년부터 2007년까지 자신이 가르치던 당시 8세 소녀를 지속적으로 성추행 왔으며 피해소녀가 성장해서 11년이 지난 지난달(4월) 어바인 경찰국을 직접 찾아가 신고했다.

권 씨는 존스홉킨스대를 졸업하고 어바인에서 ‘Peter Kwon’s String Studio’를 열었다. 그는 어바인의 비엔나 뮤직 인스튜트드(Vienna Music Institute), 샌타에나의 오렌지 카운티 스쿨 오브 아트(Orange County School of Arts)에서도 바이올린을 지도했다.

A 32-year-old violin instructor was arrested on suspicion of felony sexual assault of a child in Irvine, authorities said Wednesday.

Peter Kwon was arrested around 11:55 a.m. outside of his home. Authorities said at the time of the crimes, Kwon taught violin lessons at his home as part of a business called Peter Kwon's String Studio.

The victim was 8 years old at the time of the abuse, which lasted from 2005 until 2007, according to authorities. She came forward in April, which prompted the investigation.

Kwon was arrested on suspicion of lewd acts with a child under 14 and digital penetration of a child under 10. Authorities also believe there may be other victims.

In addition to teaching violin from his home, he also taught at Vienna Music Institute and Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana.

A violin teacher pleaded guilty Wednesday and was immediately placed on two years of formal probation for sexually assaulting a 7-year-old student in Irvine.

2024- Peter Daesul Kwon accepted a plea deal from prosecutors and was ordered to register as a sex offender for at least 10 years.