Albany teacher’s alleged offenses had Berkeley ties

March 13, 2013 9:30 am by Emilie Raguso
An uncredited photograph from a tribute video posted in November in James Izumizaki's memory. Source: YouTube

An uncredited photograph from a tribute video posted in November in James Izumizaki’s memory. Source: YouTube

A new letter released Tuesday by the Albany Unified School District asserts that some of a former teacher’s alleged sexual offenses with juvenile students took place in Berkeley.

James Izumizaki, a popular Albany Middle School teacher and sports coach, committed suicide last fall after allegations arose about multiple reports of inappropriate sexual activities with juvenile students. Izumizaki was arrested in late September, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit community. In early October, he was found dead in his car, of an apparent suicide, prior to his arraignment.

Tuesday evening, the school district posted a letter to its website by Albany Police Chief Mike McQuiston to announce the completion of the police investigation into the case.

In the March 12 letter, McQuiston wrote that police had determined that Izumizaki “engaged in unlawful sexual activity” with two juvenile students between April and September 2012. “These crimes took place at [Albany] Middle School, at Mr. Izumizaki’s residence on Peralta Ave., and in his vehicles in both Albany and Berkeley.”

McQuiston wrote that, in addition to statements from alleged victims, police discovered “incontrovertible evidence” of the alleged crimes on Izumizaki’s personal telephones and computers, including “video recordings and images that constitute sexually explicit evidence of the crimes under investigation.”

McQuiston said police also found in Izumizaki’s possession unrelated child pornography, as well as recordings of “surreptitious voyeuristic videos of adults and children.”

Police executed nine search warrants in connection with the case, conducted more than 30 interviews and analyzed data from seven cell phones and four computers during their investigation, McQuiston wrote.

“I know this has been a divisive issue,” he said in the letter, which was addressed to Albany schools Superintendent Marla Stephenson. “With the closure of our investigation of James Izumizaki, it is my sincere hope that the AUSD community can continue the healing that began late last year and move forward from these events.”

The school district noted, in its posted statement, that mental health personnel will provide support “as needed” at school sites beginning March 13.

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2 Comments

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  • dsd510

    My thoughts are with the victims – I hope that everyone who disbelieved them previously and defended Izumizaka will finally show some respect.

  • Millennium King

    I am not comfortable with the Albany Police Department investigating itself and conculding that they acted appropriately.

    They may have, but they attract suspicion by not arranging for an independent investigation.

    Abuse, and child abuse in particular, is a serious issue. Intermingled with it is the unfortunate truth that allegations, whether true or proven, are all that is required to indelibly end a happy life, and for both the accused AND the victim.

    Police and district attorneys – and criminal Grand Juries for that matter – have a very strong motivation to stick with an allegation and ensure that it is not retracted, regardless of whether the evidence mounts or falls apart mid-story.

    We are pushing so hard against the Constitution in our efforts to protect children from abuse that any semblance of protection for the accused goes out the window.

    It is a simple truth that any child, or parent, can make an allegation and have an arrest result from it – even with the complete absence of any material evidence. Just words – that’s enough.

    Imagine, please, what that would do to you – teacher, lawyer, cop, tradesman, judge – personally and professionally. Imagine how irreversibly your life would change if you were the subject of an investigation for child sexual abuse. It’s a really good exercise, and for two reasons:

    1) If you imagine the consequences, it may well kee you from acting out.

    2) If you’d never do such a thing anyway, imagine how little difference that would make to anyone once you are named as a suspect.