Trial Date Set for Culver City Pianist on Federal Sexual Assault Charges

A trial date has been set for 35-year-old Joseph Lee Hedderich, charged with allegedly with an 11-year-old girl in September 2011.

The Culver City resident will stand trial on Oct. 9, 2012 in the federal downtown Los Angeles district courthouse. The trial will be presided over by Judge John F. Walter.

Hedderich -- who had been employed as an independent musical contractor at the Colburn School of Performing Arts, The Westside Academy of Dance, The California Institute of the Arts and the Los Angeles Ballet -- allegedly sent “inappropriate photographs and email messages'' to the girl on a digital device he had provided her, according to Los Angeles police.

Hedderich was arrested on Sept. 1, 2011 in Pacific Palisades and released on $100,000 bail the following day.

Hedderich was initially charged in state court in 2011 on one count each of attempted lewd acts upon a child; meeting a minor for lewd purposes and sending harmful matter and contact with a minor for a sexual offense. However, the District Attorney’s office dropped the case in June 2012 to be able to pass it on to federal prosecutors.

If convicted, Hedderich could face at least 10 years in federal prison.