RIVERSIDE – Today, a behavioral therapist was sentenced to 17 years in prison for sex crimes against a minor.

In October, Mitchell Akira Takata, DOB: 12-23-02, of Los Altos, pled guilty in agreement with the District Attorney’s Office for one count of an attempt to commit rape, and one count of lewd and lascivious acts of a child under 14 years of age.

The court denied probation and placed a criminal protective order against Takata for the maximum of 10 years. Upon release from prison, he is ordered to register as a sex offender.

The victim and her family waived their presence at sentencing.

Riverside Police officers responded to molestation reports of a severely handicapped and non-verbal girl under the age of 10. The reporting party alleged that during a therapy session Jane Doe (J.L) had been sexually abused by her behavioral therapist. 

Detectives discovered that Takata was employed as a behavioral therapist for approximately 3 years, working primarily with disabled children. 

The case, RIF2402736, was prosecuted by the Major Crimes Division.