Trial Magazine

Beginning when he was a 14-year-old high school student, Doe was groomed and sexually abused by school security guard and assistant football coach Justin Sell. The grooming and manipulation included being given special privileges and gifts. Doe suffered severe emotional distress and PTSD.

Doe sued the Santa Barbara Unified School District, alleging negligent supervision and retention of Sell. The plaintiff asserted that the district, through its employees, knew or should have known that Sell was grooming young boys on its campus. The plaintiff also charged that employees had witnessed Sell spending one-on-one time on campus with young boys.

The jury awarded $25 million.

Citation: Doe v. Santa Barbara Unified Sch. Dist., No. 22CV01055 (Cal. Super. Ct. Santa Barbara Cnty. Dec. 8, 2023).

Plaintiff Counsel: AAJ members John Taylor and Natalie Weatherford, both of Manhattan Beach, Calif.