Retired El Dorado Hills high school band teacher faces multiple child sex allegations
A former Oak Ridge High School band director is being held without bail on multiple child sex charges and El Dorado County authorities are investigating the potential of more suspected victims.
Paul William Varoff taught band at the El Dorado Hills campus for more than 30 years, said El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, whose detectives took the man into custody Monday morning.
Varoff faces 10 counts in all: five counts of oral copulation of a person under 18 years of age; and five counts of sexual penetration of a person under 18 years old. He is being held in El Dorado County Jail.
The charges allege a months-long pattern of abuse involving the same minor victim, with incidents spanning multiple locations and jurisdictions, rather than a single isolated encounter, according to court records.
The suspected acts were committed at Varoff’s home, in his office on the Oak Ridge campus and after a birthday celebration for the former band director, prosecutors in the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office allege in a seven-page criminal complaint filed Jan. 20.
Prosecutors allege acts were committed at Varoff’s home between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, 2023; and in his offices on the El Dorado Hills campus between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28, according to the complaint.
Prosecutors in the complaint say the victim was “particularly vulnerable” alleging Varoff “took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offense.” The DA’s Office also alleges the crimes involved planning and repeated conduct over time, factors prosecutors say warrant aggravated consideration if Varoff is convicted.
A hearing is set for 1 p.m. Wednesday in El Dorado Superior Court, sheriff’s officials said.
El Dorado Union High School District was notified Monday of Varoff’s arrest. Varoff is retired, but has occasionally worked with the district, officials said in a statement.
“On January 26, the El Dorado Union High School District was notified by law enforcement that a former Oak Ridge High School employee was arrested in connection with allegations of misconduct involving a minor that reportedly occurred several years ago,” the statement read in part. “The individual is retired but has since periodically worked with the district in a limited support role.”
District officials in the statement said they were working closely with the Sheriff’s Office.
“While it is not known at this time whether the allegations involve a student from our district, we are taking all appropriate steps to protect our school community,” district officials said.
The investigation is ongoing. Sheriff’s officials are asking anyone with information or who know of other potential victims to call detectives at 530-642-4716 or email katzt@eldoradosheriff.gov.
This story was originally published January 27, 2026 at 8:08 AM.
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