Samohi rocked by second sex arrest of summer
By CAROLYN SACKARIASON AND JOHN WOOD Daily Press Staff Writers
A band director at Santa Monica High School was arrested last week on two felony counts of allegedly performing “lewd and lascivious” sex acts upon a child.
Carl Hammer, 37, who’s married with young children, turned himself in to authorities on Aug. 6 after months of investigation. He posted $40,000 bail and was freed the same day.
Hammer has worked in the local school district for nine years — at Samohi, and Lincoln and John Adams middle schools, officials said. Students said Hammer seemed happy with his wife and young children.
“He’s very serious about the band. He’s got a nice family. I never thought this was anything he would do,” said Sam Cieply, 16, a tenor saxophone player who played under Hammer for five years.
The victim is either 14 or 15 years old. It’s unknown whether the victim is enrolled in local schools, but sources close to the situation said the victim might have been Hammer’s neighbor. Hammer could not be reached for comment and his wife Jennifer declined to comment when a reporter called their Santa Monica residence.
Samohi’s band is considered among the best in Southern California and has earned accolades under the leadership of Hammer and performing arts department chair Terry Sakow. The Samohi orchestra traveled to Europe last year. The marching band performed in Washington, D.C.
Schools superintendent John Deasy said Hammer will remain on paid leave, according to his contract, indefinitely. Hammer is expected to appear at the Airport Courthouse near LAX on Oct. 8.
“The district was made aware of the investigation through the local police department, once the employee was charged with a felony, and is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation,” Deasy said this week. “It does not presume guilt.”
The months-long investigation into Hammer was conducted jointly by the California Department of Children and Family Services and the Santa Monica Police Department.
On July 8, the SMPD was contacted by the department of children and family services regarding a child abuse investigation, SMPD Lt. Frank Fabrega said. Local police detectives then conducted their own investigation and issued an arrest warrant for Hammer. Prosecutors said the two charges stem from an alleged encounter between Hammer and the victim on July 6.
Hammer’s arrest comes just two months after Samohi football and basketball assistant coach Mike Hearn, 37, was arrested for his alleged relationships with three different underage girls. Last month, Hearn pleaded not guilty to nine felony charges stemming from those relationships.
Prosecutors charged Hearn with six counts of unlawful sex with a 17-year-old girl, two more counts for allegedly having oral sex and performing a lewd act upon a 15-year-old girl, and one count for sharing pornographic materials with a third girl, also 15 years old. The two 15-year-old girls were Samohi students, but the 17-year-old was not, district officials have said. Hearn was placed on home assignment after his June 2 arrest. His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 30.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 14, 2004. Read the original PDF.