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Pasadena boot camp head charged with sexual assault

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A man who runs a Pasadena/Altadena-based boot camp for youths was charged this week with sexually assaulting two teenage girls in 2004.

Kelvin Bernard McFarland, 42, of Monrovia, was already awaiting trial on unrelated charges for allegedly handcuffing a teenage truant, transporting the girl to a relative’s house and demanding money.

He pleaded not guilty Thursday to new charges of sexual penetration by a foreign object, forcible rape, oral copulation of a person under 16, lewd act upon a child and unlawful sexual intercourse.

Prosecutors said the 14-year-old girls were assaulted in March and December 2004.
He faces up to 15 years in prison on the latest charges.

In the previous case, McFarland-known by local youths as “Sarge,” faces up to 12 years in prison on felony charges of child abuse, kidnapping, false imprisonment by violence and extortion, along with one misdemeanor count of unlawful use of a badge.

He was arrested May 27, 2011. According to police and prosecutors, McFarland tried to persuade the 14-year-old alleged victim’s family to enroll the girl in his Family 1st Growth Camp, a youth boot camp.

Police said they believe McFarland may have committed similar acts on other minors, and received illegal payments from parents or guardians.

He is due back in court April 11 for a pretrial hearing.

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