Fairgrounds instructor arrested on sexual battery charges

Danette Goulet

COSTA MESA - An equestrian-riding instructor from the Orange County

Fairgrounds was arrested this week on charges of sexual battery and child

annoyance.

Garth Brown, 37, surrendered himself to police Wednesday after a

17-year-old female student accused him of sexual misconduct.

Based on a two-month investigation into the girl’s allegations by the

Orange County Sheriff’s Department Sex Crimes Investigators, the Orange

County District Attorney’s office charged Brown with one count of sexual

battery and one count of child annoyance, said investigator Steve Doan.

Although police did not give further details about the allegations,

they did clarify that sexual battery was actual touching with the intent

to gratify and the other charge of child annoyance is akin child

molestation, Doan said.

The Costa Mesa resident owns and operates the Garth and Brenda Brown

Performance Horses at the Fairgrounds, where students are trained in

Western style riding, said Ruby Lau, director of public relations at the

Fairgrounds.

The couple’s training stables are one of a dozen such tenants on the

grounds, she said.

No one from the business was available for comment Friday.

Both charges against Brown are misdemeanors, each carrying a maximum

jail sentence of one year. The fine for sexual battery is not to exceed

$1,000 and for child annoyance he may be fined up to $3,000, Doan said.

“By putting this out there we are hoping that if there are any other

possible victims, they would come forward,” he said.

The addition of any other charges would increase the possible

penalties.

Brown was released on his own recognizance and awaits an April 17

court date.