EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. — Paul Varoff, the former Oak Ridge High School band teacher accused of committing sex crimes against a minor, pleaded guilty Aug. 7 and was sentenced to six years and four months in state prison, bringing the criminal case to a close with a negotiated change in his legal position.
El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Mark A. Ralphs accepted Varoff’s new plea during the Aug. 7 hearing and imposed the prison sentence.
Under the court’s sentencing order, Varoff will receive 388 days of custody credit for time already spent in the El Dorado County Jail in Placerville.
That credit consists of 194 days of actual custody and 194 days of good-conduct credit, according to the sentencing information provided in the case.
The credit is significant because California sentencing law allows eligible defendants to receive credits for time served before sentencing, including credits associated with good conduct while incarcerated.
From not guilty to guilty
Varoff’s change of plea represents a major turn in a case that previously had been headed toward trial.
Earlier proceedings in the case involved allegations of sexual offenses against a minor. Varoff had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges. Public reporting in the case indicated that a change of plea was being considered as the matter moved through the El Dorado County Superior Court.
The case drew local attention because of Varoff’s former position as a high school music educator.
A criminal charge is an allegation until a defendant enters a guilty plea or is convicted. With Varoff’s guilty plea Aug. 7, the case moved from the allegation and pretrial stage to a criminal conviction and sentencing.
Six years, four months in state prison
Judge Ralphs sentenced Varoff to six years and four months in state prison.
The 388 days of custody credit will be applied under the terms of his sentence, reducing the amount of time remaining to be served from the full sentence imposed by the court.
The case also underscores the role of the El Dorado County Superior Court and the county’s criminal justice system in handling allegations involving minors.
Varoff’s time in the county jail was spent at the Placerville facility while the criminal proceedings moved forward.
A case that will remain of interest locally
For residents of El Dorado County, the case has particular local significance because of Varoff’s former connection to the area’s public education community.
The guilty plea provides a definitive resolution to the criminal proceedings that had previously been expected to proceed toward trial.
The Mountain Democrat has previously reported on the case, including Varoff’s earlier not-guilty plea and subsequent court proceedings.
The Aug. 7 sentencing establishes the final outcome reported here: Varoff pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years and four months in state prison, with 388 days of custody credit awarded.
Unless otherwise stated in court records, details concerning the specific counts to which Varoff pleaded guilty, the terms of any plea agreement and the precise calculation of his release date should be distinguished from the sentence itself.
For families, educators and residents throughout El Dorado County, the case serves as another reminder of the importance of allowing the courts to fully adjudicate allegations involving children while maintaining the presumption of innocence until a defendant enters a plea or is found guilty.
