Dance instructor faces charges of lewd conduct with students

The instructor at a Temecula dance studio faces four felony counts of sodomy and lewd acts with minors following his arrest by Sheriff's deputies on Tuesday, authorities said today.

Erik Saradpon, 42, was arrested at the Temecula Dance Company on Felix Valdez Avenue in Temecula about 6:30 p.m., according to a Sheriff's Department news release. This occurred after deputies and investigators serving a search warrant at a residence in the 39000 block of Sundance Circle found several items of evidence that were seized.

Saradpon is alleged to have had inappropriate contact and relationships with former and current students. He was booked at the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta with bail set at $55,000. Saradpon was released on bail today, according to jail records, and has a court date on Feb. 23, 2021.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the case or other similar incidents is encouraged to call Investigator Franchville at the Southwest Dentention Center at 951-696-3000.