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Music teacher faces charges of child molestation

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A Santa Ysabel man who teaches music in Ramona was arrested yesterday for alleged child molestation and manufacturing and possessing child pornography.

Mark Kinney, 47, a musician and private music teacher, faces eight counts of lewd acts with a child. Because many of his students are children, the possibility exists that there are other victims, according to investigators with the sheriff’ Child Abuse Unit.

Kinney rented space in the Ramona Music Center at 1045 Main St. and taught private lessons throughout the county, according to sheriff’s Sgt. James Walker with the sheriff’s Child Abuse Unit.

Anyone with related information about Kinney or anyone who believes they may have been victimized is asked to call sheriff’s Detective Chris Davis at 858-974-2310.

According to the sheriff’s department, U.S. marshals in coordination with the San Diego County Fugitive Task Force arrested Kinney about 11 a.m. at his home in the 1600 block of Springview Road in Santa Ysabel. His arrest came after an investigation by detectives from the sheriff’s Child Abuse Unit with the assistance of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the San Diego District Attorney’s office, the sheriff’s department reported. An arrest warrant was obtained on Dec. 7.

Walker explained that the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force analyzes computers and the Fugitive Task Force specializes in arresting people with outstanding warrants.

Kinney was scheduled to be in El Cajon Superior Court this afternoon.

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