Military academy instructor arrested, suspected of molesting 14-year-old student

A 40-year-old man was arrested in Porterville on Monday on suspicion that he molested a 14-year-old student.

James Randolph Van Norton was an instructor at Porterville Military Academy, where the Tulare Country Sheriff’s Office believes he met the victim. Van Norton also is an member of the Army National Guard.

The victim’s mother reported the alleged molestation, which she said was done by a former teacher. Detectives with the sheriff’s office’s Crimes Against Children’s Unit, working with the the Porterville Unified School District, the Army National Guard and the Porterville Police Department, found evidence linking Van Norton to the crime.

Van Norton is being held at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office pre-trial facility on suspicion of numerous sex-related crimes. His bail is set at $2.5 million, the sheriff’s office said.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact detective Jose Nevarez or Sgt. Jason Kennedy with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 559-733-6218. To remain anonymous, call or text 559-725-4194 or email tcso@tipnow.com. The case number is 19-3447.

This story was originally published March 25, 2019 at 5:33 PM.