Former Local Teacher Facing Child Pornography Charges to Have Preliminary Hearing Set Monday

A preliminary hearing date will be scheduled on Monday for a former Pasadena teacher and youth soccer coach who is facing felony child pornography charges, court records show.

Justin Akio Yasutake, 39, is scheduled to appear at 8:30 a.m. in Department 36 of the Los Angeles Criminal Courts Building at 210 W. Temple St. Yasutake faces one felony count of possessing child pornography after authorities allegedly discovered hundreds of images of child sexual abuse on his electronic devices.

The investigation began Nov. 11, 2024, when someone reported receiving suspicious social media messages to the Arcadia Police Department. Detectives subsequently executed a search warrant on Yasutake’s electronic devices, reportedly uncovering multiple videos and photos of child sexual abuse.

Yasutake was arrested Dec. 11, 2024, at his Pasadena home and released the same day after posting a $40,000 bond. He pleaded not guilty on Dec. 23, 2024, during an arraignment at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges Dec. 13, 2024, emphasizing the serious nature of the allegations.

“Child pornography will not be tolerated in LA County, and individuals who exploit children will be vigorously prosecuted, especially when they are educators who hold positions of trust in the community,” Hochman said.

The criminal complaint alleges Yasutake possessed more than 600 images of child sexual abuse, including at least 10 images of minors under age 12. Authorities believe there may be additional victims.

As a condition of his bond, Superior Court Judge Shelly Torrealba ordered Yasutake to have no unsupervised contact with minors and to possess no pornography.

If convicted, Yasutake faces a maximum of six years in state prison and will be required to register as a sex offender for life. The case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Cyber Crimes Division.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Arcadia Police Department at (626) 574-5188 or Los Angeles Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.