We reported heavily on the story of Granada Middle School Band Director Phillip Roa.
The District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges against a Granada Middle School band director who was accused of raping a former student, officials said Thursday.
Phillip Roa, 56, of La Habra was scheduled to appear today at Whittier Superior Court. But prosecutors never filed any charges against him.
Prosecutors rejected the case on July 29 due to insufficient evidence, said Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the DA’s Office.
Roa couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday. No one answered his telephone.
East Whittier City School District Superintendent Joe Gillentine said he will need to meet with the district’s lawyers to “make sure we’re clear on any actions we have to take” in regard to Roa’s employment.
“But the district is pleased to hear that the charges have been dropped,” Gillentine said. “We do need to seek advice from our legal counsel on what, if anything, there is for us to do next.”
Roa is on contract to work at Granada Middle School next year as the school’s band and drama teacher.
He was arrested July 3 by detectives from the sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau, which handles sex crimes.
“Sorry kids, I guess what I taught is no longer true.”
As a teacher of history and civics at Granada Middle School for thirty-nine years, I am shocked to hear what has happened to my co-worker and friend Phil Roa.
Innocent until proven quilty in a court of law, writ of habeas corpus and right to a trial by jury are some of the most basic of our Constitutional rights. Or, at least that is what I used to teach.
After all charges were dropped, how dare the police say they still have no reason to believe the girl was not telling the truth. Where is the justice in that statement?
Phil is one of the most talented teachers I know. He is a musician, artist, sports referee and Civil War historian. He has given untold hours of his own time and money to our school and kids.
Maybe the one lesson my kids should remember is the one about the “Salem Witch Trials”. It seems history truly does repeat itself.
John P. Grandi
Granada Teacher (Retired)
This man has been permanently damaged over nothing. It is shocking to see only 10 comments regarding the story of his vindication and over 500 regarding this now baseless allegation.
Sadly he has already been convicted by headline.
I will agree he has been permantently damaged, but to say that it is over nothing is an assumption that the girl was lying. Frankly no one will really know except Roa and the alleged victim. Look, the DA likely felt there were not enough facts to proceed with a the case. Need corroborating evidence, not just a single allegation.
Many criminals get away with their crimes just because of the burden of proof. If he did not commit this crime, then it is truly sad for him and his name has been thrashed for nothing.
If it is true, I’m sure he’s counting his blessings that the girl did not report the incident when (if)it happened(Evidence). And it is sad for the victim.
Yes Roa is talented and giving of his time. Very giving. No Doubt there. Though, I wonder how many of those students that commented on the article were truthful because if u read them; it was a bit scarey.
Sad and unfortunate no matter what the truth really is.
Do you think the ACLU is coming to his rescue?
I admit I don’t know what happened but until he is convicted of anything I will presume him to be innocent. Imagine going through life as the “DA didn’t have a case but he may still be a child rapist” guy.
Sadly that will be his life from now on. You can beat the wrap but you can’t beat the ride.
Frank,
Learn how to spell, or at least use spell check when doing a story on teachers?
His ordeal is far from over. Roa has been branded a rapist and he will always wonder, what are they thinking about me?
Not only did my child have Phillip Roa during her time at Granada Middle School (about 4 years ago), I, myself had Phillip Roa as a Student Teacher During my years at La Serna High School. He was student teacher to Jim Spencer at the time.
I will admit I was in awe of him. He was a youg teacher, he was talented. He was in a band called CAULDERON, as a keyboard player.. He was in charge of my favorite class, ROCK, A MUSICAL FORCE ( A history of rock and roll). At Christmas, I gave him a gift. It was something from AVON. My mother had helped me with the purchase. When I presented him with his gift, the first words from him were, ” Do your parents know about this?” I explained that “Yes, they did know, and my mom had helped me.” He then replied,” Oh, okay, Thankyou.” What has been said about him? That was not the man I knew. I still admire Phil Roa.
Not only did my child have Phillip Roa during her time at Granada Middle School (about 4 years ago), I, myself had Phillip Roa as a Student Teacher During my years at La Serna High School. He was student teacher to Jim Spencer at the time.
I will admit I was in awe of him. He was a youg teacher, he was talented. He was in a band called CAULDERON, as a keyboard player.. He was in charge of my favorite class, ROCK, A MUSICAL FORCE ( A history of rock and roll). At Christmas, I gave him a gift. It was something from AVON. My mother had helped me with the purchase. When I presented him with his gift, the first words from him were, ” Do your parents know about this?” I explained that “Yes, they did know, and my mom had helped me.” He then replied,” Oh, okay, Thankyou.” What has been said about him? That was not the man I knew. I still admire Phil Roa.
No one asked for this to happen…least of all the victim. It is hard when someone close to you gets accused of something like this, but to automatically assume that it could not have happened because you feel that he is good at his job is a leap of faith. Everyone has secrets. The young woman that he raped will never be the same again. She is not the same person that she would have been had this tragic event never occured. My hope for everybody saying that this young woman is a liar and that Mr. Roa’s life was ruined over nothing is that they remember that they do not know the whole story. The police release information on a need-to-know basis. Do not jump to conclusions without all the information.
To,future band director. You just said “do not jump to conclusions without all the information”, but you also stated ,”the young woman that he raped will never be the same”. Take your own advice.
Everything is fine now. Things are back to normal! Roa is back in class at Granada…..
This is a perfect example of why the victim AND accused should have the protection of confidentiality until such a time that charges are pressed. It takes but a second to accuse someone, and it could easily be a lie. But the damage done to this man is forever, as well as the alleged victim.
Now, not only will half the people always believe these charges to be true, but the other half will always brand the young girl a liar and tramp.
Sad for all concerned.
Obviously if there was not enough evidence, then it wasnt true! It is a shame that so many low-life children are that sick in the head to want to ruin the life of others for attention, and because they have crappy lives themselves!!
It appears Roa is innocent of the crime he has been accused of. So, let me say, over 20 years ago Phil Roa was my band teacher and friend. He was a model teacher and a good man. I, and to my knowledge my friends, never saw Mr. Roa do anything inappropriate to any student in the 3 years I was his student.
I am glad Mr. Grandi, also a great teacher and honest man, stepped up to defend Mr. Roa.
I hope Mr. Roa, since he has not been convicted, can be treated as he should. I hope his reputation can recover.
I can only imagine the stress this has caused Mr. Roa. I hope he continues to teach.
One more thing. I was born in Whittier and lived there for 25 years. The LA Sheriff out of Norwalk handled our enforcement. That Sheriff dept., out of Norwalk, was dishonest, corrupt, disrespectful and lazy. If Mr. Roa was unlucky enough to be forced to deal with them, I can understand the misunderstanding.
There may be good Sheriffs out of Norwalk. I never seen any of them.
FUCK THAT MIDGET ASSS RAT LOOKING MOTHERFUCKER . THOUGHT HE WAS THE LAW AT GRANADA IM GLAD HE WENT THROUGH THIS CAUSE NEXT TIME HE’S GONNA GET CAUSGHT FUCKING LITTLE BOYS