John Michael Kaleel, 69, a West Hollywood piano teacher convicted of lewd acts on a former teenage student, was extradited from Australia and taken into custody Thursday at Los Angeles International Airport.
Kaleel faces four felony counts of lewd acts on a child aged 14–15 and one felony count of lewd acts on a child under 14. The crimes occurred between 2011 and 2013, beginning when the victim was 13. He fled to Australia during jury deliberations in October 2025 but has now been returned to the U.S. to face sentencing.
No sentencing date has been set, but Kaleel could face up to 10 years and eight months in state prison. District Attorney Nathan Hochman praised law enforcement partners for securing Kaleel’s extradition and expressed support for the victim.
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