Culver City resident Joseph Lee Hedderich, 35, appeared in a Culver City courtroom Thursday and pleaded not guilty to one count each of attempted lewd act upon a child, meeting a minor for lewd purposes, sending harmful matter, and contact with a minor for sexual offense, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Hedderich is a pianist who has played music at Los Angeles-area performing arts schools, according to the DA.
The DA alleges Hedderich gave an 11-year-old girl a digital device to communicate with him.
The girl's parents contacted the district attorney's office after discovering inappropriate emails and photographs allegedly sent by Hedderich, according to the DA.
Hedderich allegedly showed up for a sexual encounter with the girl and was arrested in Pacific Palisades on September 1. Detectives had assumed the identity of the girl and maintained contact with Hedderich and agreed to the meeting.
Hedderich was released on $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on October 25. Hedderich faces a maximum sentence of six years and four months in state prison if convicted.
