Hearn maintains his innocence
LAX COURTHOUSE — A Santa Monica High School coach will have to answer to nine felony charges stacked against him for his alleged sexual relationships with three teenagers, a judge ruled Thursday.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Steven Van Sicklen determined during a preliminary hearing on Thursday that there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial against Mike Hearn, 37, who was an assistant football and basketball coach at Samohi.
Because the three alleged victims were minors at the time of the accused crimes, the preliminary hearing was closed to the public, said Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Kelly Read, who is prosecuting the case. Read said the hearing was closed because of the sensitive nature of what was discussed and the psychological impact it might have on the young, alleged victims.
Read declined to comment on the case further. DA spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said all three of the alleged victims spoke at the hearing and the testimony they provided was enough to influence Judge Van Sicklen to force Hearn to answer on all the charges.
At least one teenage female was ushered into and out of the courtroom, tears pouring from her eyes.
Hearn’s defense attorney, Daniel Davis, declined to comment on the case.
Hearn was arrested June 2 and freed on $42,000 bond. Prosecutors have charged Hearn with six counts of unlawful sex with a 17-year-old girl, two 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.
School district administrators maintained the 17-year-old girl wasn’t a Samohi student, but said, to the best of their knowledge, the other two alleged victims were. The girls’ identities were not released because they are alleged victims of sex crimes and are minors.
Hearn, who is married and has children in local schools, has been placed on home assignment until the matter is resolved.
A status conference in the case was held at the end of August. Hearn was ordered not to harass or assault the three alleged victims, and he must stay at least 100 yards away from the three girls and the Samohi campus.
The alleged victims have been treated at the Stuart House in Santa Monica, which often deals with sexual abuse cases. The Stuart House is overseen by officials from the Rape Treatment Center, based at the Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center.
Gibbons said Hearn will face a second arraignment on April 7 at the Airport Courthouse when he will enter another plea. He has pleaded not guilty.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 25, 2005. Read the original PDF.