The Flight of a Piano Teacher Accused of Child Sexual Abuse
A California-based piano teacher, John Kaleel, 69, has disappeared from the country just as a jury was about to deliver a guilty verdict in his child sexual abuse case. According to reports, Kaleel left the United States on October 8, the same day he was found guilty of five counts of sexual abuse related to his relationship with a 15-year-old student.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that Kaleel fled the country on the day of the verdict. His lawyer, Kate Hardie, told the outlet that she has not seen her client since October 7, the day before the guilty verdict was announced. As of now, his current location remains unknown.
Kaleel, an Australian-born pianist, had been accused of engaging in inappropriate behavior with a minor student over several years. According to court records, the 15-year-old was approached by authorities in 2015 and reported that Kaleel had asked for "measurements of [the victim’s] body parts, including his penis." Two years later, the student claimed that Kaleel convinced him to masturbate during a FaceTime call, telling him, “that’s what friends do.” He then invited the teen to his home, where they smoked marijuana and engaged in oral sex.
Despite these allegations, Kaleel’s website previously listed him as a private piano instructor in Los Angeles for over 25 years. It also claimed that he had worked with “Hollywood industry professionals and students who have pursued successful music careers.”
The site featured testimonials from creators of popular television series such as “Mad Men” and “Orange Is the New Black,” who were said to have praised Kaleel’s teaching skills with their children. However, those creators have since denied endorsing Kaleel or allowing their names to be used in this manner. The website has since been taken down.
Hardie, Kaleel’s attorney, stated that her client has always maintained his innocence. She explained that he initially accepted a plea deal after being advised by his legal team to avoid a potentially harsher sentence if he were to lose at trial. Following the plea agreement, Kaleel was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and served with a deportation order. However, he successfully appealed the removal in 2019.
During his time in immigration custody, Kaleel faced removal proceedings for approximately 8 to 9 months. He later learned of the immigration consequences associated with his case.
Dmitry Gorin, a former Los Angeles County prosecutor, commented on the unusual nature of Kaleel’s disappearance. “It’s an unusual situation,” Gorin said. “But people’s conduct can be very unpredictable when they’re facing a tremendous time in prison.”
This case highlights the complexities of legal proceedings involving both criminal and immigration matters. It also raises questions about how individuals might respond when confronted with the possibility of long-term incarceration.
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