Former Sonoma teacher held on molestation charges

A former teacher in Sonoma Valley is awaiting extradition from Monterey County on three counts of child molestation. According to a Sonoma County Sheriff’s report, Patrick Lilley, 52, was arrested Feb. 11 after an investigation revealed he had sexually abused two pre-teenaged students approximately two years ago.
Lilley is expected in a Sonoma County court any day, according to Lt. Chris Spallino. His bail is set at $300,000.
Lilley taught at Woodland Star Charter School from September of 2004 to June of 2008. He started at the first grade level, and moved along with that class through the fourth grade, when, according the May 2008 school newsletter, he left the area “to live closer to his sister.”
According to staff at Monterey Bay Charter School in Pacific Grove, Lilley was employed there as a first-grade teacher at the time of his arrest last week. This was his first year at that school.
In a public statement from the school, Mark Walden, charter council representative, stated, “at the time of his employment with the school, this employee was lawfully cleared to work at the school through a thorough criminal background and reference check.”
The charter council nor school administration would respond to personnel inquiries due to a legal obligation to protect the privacy rights of both current and former employees, Walden said. “The school community is fully cooperating with law enforcement and taking all necessary steps to protect the best interests of its students, staff, and stakeholders.”
Anyone with information regarding Lilley is encouraged to contact Detective Mike Yoder at 707-565-7600.