A 24-year-old teacher's assistant has been charged with sexually abusing a middle school student, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced.

Joshua Jacob Estrada (dob 2/24/92) of Los Angeles was charged today with six counts of lewd act upon a child in case BA452408.

The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Prosecutors are asking that bail be set at $600,000.

Deputy District Attorney Lisa Coen of the Sex Crimes Division is assigned to the case.

Prosecutors said Estrada is a teacher's assistant at David Wark Griffith Middle School in Los Angeles.

It is alleged that the defendant sexually molested a student between November and December of this year.

Estrada was arrested on Dec. 7 and has been in custody since his apprehension.

If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 18 years in state prison. Additionally, he will have to register as a lifetime sex offender.

The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Victims Bureau.

Los Angeles County District Attorney / in case BA452408 / December 9, 201