Exeter music teacher arrested for child molestation

EXETER, Calif. -- Visalia Police have arrested 29-year-old Gabriel Ziessler for inappropriately touching one of his music students and having unlawful sexual conduct with a teenage girl he met through church.

Ziessler was arrested at Grace Note Music Studio in Visalia Tuesday afternoon. Visalia Police Sergeant Kevin Kroeze says they began investigating Ziessler in February. Kroeze says Ziessler inappropriately touched one of his music students at the studio during private music lessons.

Ziessler was also a Worship Leader at Rocky Hill Community Church in Exeter. Kroeze says that's where he met a teenage girl that he had unlawful sexual conduct with in the City of Exeter and City of Visalia. Pastor Dave Miller with Rocky Hill Community Church says Ziessler is no longer on staff. Miller adds he was shocked at the arrest.

"We had no idea that this would ever happen," Miller says, "We have zero tolerance for that."

Miller says they are focusing now on giving love and support to the victim.

Police believe there may be more victims in this case. Anyone with information should call Visalia Police's Violent Crimes Unit at (559)713-4234.