On Tuesday, March 12, 2019, a 17 year-old female reported she was sexually assaulted by the suspect, Tom Lam, who was hired as her personal driving instructor.
In June of 2018, the parent of the victim paid for six driving lessons to assist the victim in obtaining her driver’s license. The first four driving lessons were given without incident. In March of 2019, during the last two driving lessons, the suspect sexually assaulted her in the of Rowland Heights.
During the course of the investigation, Special Victims Bureau learned the suspect in this case is a registered sex offender and was arrested by Monterey Park Police Department on Thursday, November 27, 2014, for Annoying or Molesting a Minor, 647.6(a)(1) P.C., while acting as a driving instructor.
On Friday, March 15, 2019, 56 year old Tom Lam was arrested at his home in the city of Montclair. He was booked at Walnut Sheriff’s Station for sexually assaulting a minor. On Sunday, March 17, 2019, the suspect was released on bond in the amount of $140,000.00. His next court date is Monday, April 8, 2019, at Pomona Court.
The Special Victims Bureau believes there may be additional victims in this case. Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Bureau.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department – Special Victims Bureau is tasked with investigating the sexual and physical abuse of children and felonious sexual assaults involving adult victims. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Special Victims Bureau toll free tip line at (877) 710-5273 or by email at [email protected].
If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Forwarded by:
Deputy Michelle Sanchez
Sheriff's Information Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
211 West Temple Street,
Los Angeles California 90012
213-229-1700
Website: http://www.lasd.org
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Alex Villanueva, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
