SAMOHI Band Teacher Charged with Sexual Misconduct with Minor

By Olin Ericksen
Staff Writer

August 17 -- For the second time in two months, a Santa Monica High School employee has been charged with alleged sexual contact with a teenager.

Carl Stephen Hammer -- a 37-year-old SAMOHI band teacher who has worked at high schools and middle schools in the district for nearly nine years -- turned himself in to authorities August 6 and was charged with two felony counts of allegedly performing "lewd and lascivious" sex acts with a minor, police said.

Hammer -- a Santa Monica resident who is married with children -- posted $40,000 bail and will remain free while he awaits his next court appearance, scheduled for October 8, police said.

The charges -- which come in the wake of a months-long joint-investigation between local police and the California Department of Children and Family Services -- apparently stem from a July 6 encounter with a 14-year-old girl, according to police officials.

Information on whether the student is enrolled in the district has not been released..

The school district placed Hammer on paid leave indefinitely, per his contract, said John Deasy.

“He is on paid leave until the matter is investigated and resolved,” Deasy said.

A support team comprised of counselors and psychologists will meet with SAMOHI band students Monday, Deasy said. Meetings will also be held with parents and teachers.

“When students realize there is misbehavior, they share it with students,” Deasy said.

This is the second time in two months a SAMOHI employee has been rocked by sexual misconduct allegations.

Mike Hearn, 37, a part-time assistant football and basketball coach, was arrested in June and charged with sexual relations with two girls -- a 15-year old and a 17-year-old -- as well as sharing pornographic materials with another 15-year-old, according to prosecutors.

The two younger girls were both students at SAMOHI.

Hearn -- who is no longer employed with the district -- pleaded not guilty to the nine felony counts last month and is under house arrest until his next court appearance on August 30.

Anyone having additional information should call Leslie Trapnell of the Youth Services Division at 458-2256 or Sgt. Mohamed Marhaba at 458-8457 or the watch commander at 458-8426.

Callers who wish to remain anonymous may also call the We-Tip national hotline at 800-78CRIME.