Former Pasadena Teacher, Soccer Coach Faces Preliminary Hearing Scheduling In Child Porn Case

A preliminary hearing date is scheduled Thursday, June 5, for a Pasadena man who worked as a teacher and youth soccer coach and is charged with possessing child pornography.

Justin Akio Yasutake, 39, is due back in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom Feb. 18 in Department 36 of the Criminal Courts Building, 210 W. Temple St. A judge will then schedule a hearing to determine whether sufficient evidence exists for the case to proceed to trial.

Yasutake pleaded not guilty to one felony count of possession of child pornography. He remains free on $40,000 bond with court-ordered restrictions prohibiting unsupervised contact with minors.

Superior Court Judge Shelly Torrealba also banned Yasutake from possessing any pornography as a condition of his release.

The criminal complaint alleges Yasutake possessed more than 600 images of child sexual abuse, including 10 or more images of a prepubescent minor or a minor under 12 years old. This enhancement significantly increases potential penalties.

Yasutake worked as a girls soccer coach and teacher for nearly 20 years in Los Angeles County schools and as a youth soccer coach in Arcadia. Police allege he may have used his position to “exploit” underage girls during his career.

The investigation began Nov. 11, 2024, when someone reported receiving suspicious social media messages, according to Arcadia police.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for Yasutake’s electronic devices on Nov. 12. Police allegedly discovered hundreds of explicit images and videos of underage girls during the search.

Yasutake was formally charged Dec. 10 and arrested Dec. 11 around 3 p.m. at his Pasadena home without incident. He was booked at Arcadia Police Department jail and released the same day after posting bond.

“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,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.

“We believe there are additional victims and I urge anyone with information on this case to contact law enforcement as soon as possible,” Hochman said.

If convicted, Yasutake faces up to six years in state prison and lifetime registration as a sex offender.

Anyone with information can contact Arcadia police at 626-574-5188, referencing case number 2404863. Anonymous tips are accepted at 800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

The case is being prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Cyber Crimes Division.