A Simi Valley music teacher was arrested last Friday after one of his students accused him of sexually assaulting her.

According to a police report, a 17-year-old Simi Valley girl, accompanied by her mother, came to the Simi Valley Police station March 7 to report an incident involving her music teacher, Richard Spidel.

The teen told police that on the afternoon of March 4 she attended her scheduled piano lesson with Spidel at his home in the 2400 block of Hansen Court.

As they sat in the studio, she stated, Spidel, 55, initiated a conversation consisting of sexually explicit topics. He demonstrated various sexual activities and then touched her inappropriately.

The victim said she felt uncomfortable and excused herself from the room. Her mother picked her up a short time later, the police report said.

Simi Valley detectives investigated the case, which ultimately led to misdemeanor charges being filed for child annoyance and sexual battery. On March 25, an arrest warrant was issued; Spidel surrendered later that day.

Spidel was booked at the East Valley Jail and released the same day.

His arraignment is scheduled for April 25 in Ventura County Superior Court.

According to his business website, Spidel, who goes by Rick, has been teaching music— piano, guitar and bass guitar—for more than 25 years. Detectives didn’t want to give a specific time frame but said the victim in this case had been taking lessons from Spidel for several years.

The police department is asking former and current students of Spidel to come forward if they believe they were involved in any inappropriate activity.

Potential victims and others with information related to the case can call lead investigator, Detective Kathy Shatz, at (805) 583-6971.