WILMINGTON, Calif. (KTLA) — A former elementary school teacher with the Los Angeles Unified School District has been arrested in a sexual abuse case involving at least 20 children and one adult.
Robert Pimentel, 57, who taught at George de La Torre Jr. Elementary School in Wilmington, pleaded not guilty Thursday to eight counts of continuous sexual abuse and seven counts of lewd acts on a child.
His attorney says the teacher’s affections were sometimes misunderstood and misrepresented by people with an agenda.
Pimentel is due back in court on Jan. 31 for a pre-trial hearing. If convicted on all charges, he could face multiple life sentences.
Police launched an investigation last March after several fourth grade girls said they had been inappropriately touched.
Some of the children told their parents they had been abused, and the parents then altered the LAPD’s Harbor Division.
The charges against Pimentel involve a dozen of his alleged victims and cover the period from September 2011 to March 2012, according to court records.
Authorities said the teacher is suspected of inappropriately touching children under and over their clothing.
Pimentel is suspected of victimizing and additional eight children and an adult co-worker.
Of the 20 alleged minor victims, 19 were students at the school, said LAPD Capt. Fabian Lizarraga. Detectives discovered the other child as they gathered evidence.
LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy said both Pimentel and the school’s principal were removed from their positions when the district learned about the allegations in March.
Deasy said he removed the principal after learning she had received an allegation about the teacher four years ago but took no action.
He said the teacher’s file “contained notations of suspected misconduct along the lines for what he was later charged with, which was inappropriate touching of a student.”
The district said parents were informed within 72 hours after Pimentel was removed from the campus. The California Commission of Teacher Credentialing and Vehicle Loans was also promptly notified.
District officials prepared a “notice of termination” for Pimentel and the principal, according to Deasy.
They had planned to present it to the Board of Education in April 2012, but both retired before the board meeting. Because they retired before the district took action, they will get their full pensions.
“People who commit acts like this should be terminated, and that termination should be made easy,” Deasy said on Thursday morning.
“We should not have cumbersome state laws around this, and you should be able to fire someone even if they choose to retire.
“We notified the office of teacher credentialing the very day of the action. To my knowledge, I don’t think his credential has ever been revoked, either.”
Pimentel, who lives in Newport Beach, had been a teacher with the district since 1974.
The LAUSD, which is the nation’s second largest school district, has been rocked in recent months by allegations of sexual misconduct involving teachers and students.
Former Miramonte Elementary School teacher Mark Berndt, 61, was arrested last January after photos surfaced that show students blindfolded and being fed cookies allegedly tainted with semen.
He has pleaded not guilty to 23 counts of lewd conduct and is awaiting trial. The district is facing nearly 200 molestation and lewd conduct claims related to Berndt’s alleged wrongdoing.
68 Comments to “Former LAUSD Teacher Accused of Molesting 20 Children”
January 23, 2013 at 9:41 PM
It just never ends, these pervert school teachers messing with their students. If found guilty, this idiot should never walk the streets as a free man.
January 23, 2013 at 11:41 PM
That's okay, he can always get a job as a Roman Catholic Priest. They prefer child molesters to married men or women priests.
January 23, 2013 at 11:44 PM
Teachers & coaches should have to take an unannounced polygraph once a year to keep their jobs regardless of who they are, and the unions should agree to this.
It's time for a national change in policy to prevent this foolishness.
This crap needs to stop.
January 24, 2013 at 3:27 PM
Excellent comment and you are correct. Unless fear in placed in the heart of these perverts, they will continue to abuse innocent children.
January 24, 2013 at 2:24 AM
WOULD HE BE TEACHING IN PRISON HOW TO BE A CHILD MOLESTER TO NEW TEACHERS GETTING OUT?
January 24, 2013 at 4:35 AM
Filthy pig. mark, where are your ignorant comments about his nasty, filthy child molester or do you know him personally and will excuse his behavior?
January 24, 2013 at 6:18 AM
I taught for years, and fortunately, never saw anything like this. But I can promise you that if any other teacher had abused my child in this way, I would have beat him till he stopped moving. And damn the consequences.
January 24, 2013 at 9:50 PM
How about you shut up
January 24, 2013 at 8:09 AM
As the Queen of old would once say, "Off with his head"!!!
I be talking about the one between his legs but of course the libterds would never approve saying it would violate his rights.
IMHO he deserves none whatsoever. Best thing for sick animals like this would be a bullet to the head.
January 24, 2013 at 9:52 PM
You deserve a bullet to your head!
January 24, 2013 at 9:01 AM
Ahh, but of course. He's white. No surprise from these inbred crackers!
January 24, 2013 at 10:18 AM
You are right, he is white, that's only because you will never hear of a Mexican…Oh, sorry, WETBACK do this because they have no education for any type of jobs but to clean my house, mow my lawns and bring all the drugs into the USA. Oh they also are the only nationality that tags property that costs millions and millions of dollars of damage.
January 24, 2013 at 10:56 AM
Perverts, idiots, and uneducated people come in all races. I'm a very proud Mexican American the only reason I dont take offense to your comment is because it just shows another ignorant fool. Both of you actually…. I dont care that "agarrame" is obviously hispanic… at the end of the day you're both spitting out ignorance.
January 24, 2013 at 10:59 AM
The best part of both of the comments above is that my fellow "wetback" and the "cracker" above are obviously cut from the same mold. You two have way more in common than you give yourselves credit for…ironic.
January 24, 2013 at 12:12 PM
@Sambo, You need to talk to your counselor and seek help for your mental problems. There is nothing on earth lower than a bigot and racist.
January 24, 2013 at 1:59 PM
@TIMETOCHANGE. Don't need a counselor or have any mental problems. Just speaking the truth about Wetbacks like yourself. You and probably your 12 to 14 kids on welfare and food stamps using a library computer or one you stole from someone can Lick My Nut Sack.! Or your wife can do it for you…Yum Yum…
January 24, 2013 at 6:19 PM
You ignorant prick he is Latino.
January 24, 2013 at 11:41 PM
Pablo,Please you come to my country and act like your in Mexico .you better recognize where you are and have some respect for the White Man you will all ways work for.Now get to work you can start by washing my car and by the way whys your back wet?
January 24, 2013 at 9:13 AM
racist idiot,,,, male, female, white, tan, yelow,, the world is full, too full of those hurting children… your attitude belongs in Mexico City
January 24, 2013 at 10:07 AM
Sick pervert! All these school teachers and priests should be hung and beaten to death for all the sick and perverted things they have done.
January 24, 2013 at 9:52 PM
So should you!
January 24, 2013 at 10:57 AM
Aaron. I see what you mean… Pamela`s c0mment is neat, last wednesday I got themselves a Chevrolet Corvette from having earned $5897 this month and even more than ten k this past-month. with-out a doubt this is the nicest-work I've ever had. I began this 7-months ago and almost immediately started to make more than $85 per hour. I use this web-site, http://xurl.es/ptw7j
January 24, 2013 at 11:11 AM
It's a shame the public unions make it so you just can't get rid of these bad teachers.
January 24, 2013 at 11:34 AM
Freaking crackers, this is all they do. This is all they're good at!
January 24, 2013 at 12:14 PM
Your statement is so untrue. This is one man who has harmed children, and no one else should be blamed for his filthy actions.
January 24, 2013 at 2:20 PM
The LAUSD is the new Catholic church. Safe haven for all Pedophiles.
January 24, 2013 at 10:12 PM
STFU!
January 24, 2013 at 10:11 PM
He idiot he's Hispanic FYI maybe you should know the guy first before you make a statement.
January 24, 2013 at 12:38 PM
Pimentel is Hispanic for all you people who have no clue. He is innocent until proven guilty through a court system. There are a lot of evil and vindictive patents at De La Torre school who could have easily brainwashed the kids just to get rid of him. That school has been a nightmare from the day it opened. There are more problems there than meets the eye but of different kinds. I am not saying that Mr. Pimentel did no wrong. But if you knew the history of what really happened at that school, you would not jump to conclusions.
January 25, 2013 at 8:49 AM
Thank you Freda. My fear is that in this case, it is another McMartin hysteria situation. The accusers, if not SHEEP, may be after financial gain. They don't care whether it is true or not – just SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!!
January 24, 2013 at 12:45 PM
Really sad to hear about my friend. It just cannot be true.
January 25, 2013 at 8:55 AM
Thanks Luis -no man/woman is not guilty until proven. That said in this climate of people realizing that they can make easy money on the backs of the children, it may be a lost cause. I hope he proves all these people wrong and may all those who falsely accuse individuals for such heinous behavior, burn in hell. By the way, of late, have you seen any of this happening on the west side in Los Angeles? And no, it is not because of the poor immigrant population, it may be because certain illegals have found another way to cheat the bloody system!!!!
January 24, 2013 at 12:50 PM
Pimentel is Hispanic for all you people who have no clue. He is innocent until proven guilty through a court system. There are a lot of evil and vindictive patents at De La Torre school who could have easily brainwashed the kids just to get rid of him. That school has been a nightmare from the day it opened. There are more problems there than meets the eye but of different kinds. I am not saying that Mr. Pimentel did no wrong. But if you knew the history of what really happened at that school
January 24, 2013 at 12:52 PM
Ok. So I am a teacher. What rights do we have? We get cursed out by parents and students, hit by kids, stalked by parents, etc. WE HAVE NO RIGHTS.
January 24, 2013 at 2:18 PM
The only right you have is to keep your retirement and paid leave when take the kids to play Mr Ice cream man..
January 24, 2013 at 12:54 PM
As a former coworker of Mr. Pimentels this cannot be true!
January 24, 2013 at 2:17 PM
As a former studen of Mr. Pimentels this cannot be true. 20 students? I think 20 incidents per student!
January 24, 2013 at 9:11 PM
Yeah right you f*ckin a** hole. You don't even know the man. Those parents were dumba** Mexicans. It is a ghetto school were they well try to sue anybody. Have some respect you liar. He has kids.
January 25, 2013 at 8:46 AM
Interesting, don't you think, that all of these cases are starting to surface more rapidly after the "immigrant" kid in Los Angeles got an award of 6.7 million? This poor guy, the lynch mob is getting ready to hang him with dollar signs in their eyes. They don't care in the fact he may not even be guilty!!
January 24, 2013 at 1:59 PM
@TIMETOCHANGE. Don't need a counselor or have any mental problems. Just speaking the truth about Wetbacks like yourself. You and probably your 12 to 14 kids on welfare and food stamps using a library computer or one you stole from someone can Lick My Nut Sack.!
January 24, 2013 at 5:51 PM
If you think Bernard`s story is impressive…, 2 weaks-ago my sister basically made the small fortune of $6881 grafting a 40 hours month from home and their neighbor's step-sister`s neighbour did this for eight months and got paid more than $6881 part time at there computer. use the advice on this site, http://xurl.es/pon1p
January 24, 2013 at 6:15 PM
He is innocent. I am 14. His son is my friend. People tried to blame him before because the could get a shot load of money. Lots of these comments shows that America relies to much on their media. Bob is a really nice guy. The people who are blaming him are the parents not the kids! They could sew him and take all his money. I can't imagine what my friend is going through right now with his family.
January 24, 2013 at 10:05 PM
Thank you some one is finally understanding and has some sense.
January 24, 2013 at 6:26 PM
Pimentel is a Hispanic name to all you dib sh*ts and they accused him. They don't even know if it was true. Many cases have showed this in la so the "victims" could get there greets hands on money.
January 24, 2013 at 6:39 PM
upto I saw the check which said $8549, I didn't believe …that…my father in law could realey making money part time online.. there best friend haz done this less than six months and at present cleard the morgage on there villa and bought themselves a Lotus Carlton. we looked here, http://xurl.es/o8ruc
January 24, 2013 at 8:17 PM
First your cousin and now your father in law are having sex with each other too, eww gross..
January 24, 2013 at 8:18 PM
just before I saw the draft for $8524, I be certain …that…my mom in-law was like actualy making money in their spare time from there new laptop.. there great aunt has done this 4 less than twenty months and as of now cleard the loans on their house and bourt a great Volkswagen Golf GTI. I went here, http://xurl.es/an69x
January 24, 2013 at 8:21 PM
Open season on spammers!! Get 'em!!
January 24, 2013 at 9:58 PM
Honestly all of you should just shut up and get a life and worry about your own damn problems. He is innocent until proven guilty and you have no clue if any if this is true or not! So instead of a bunch of jerks how about you just worry about yourself and let the courts and everything deal with this. You have no right to be judging someone you know nothing about, nor can you say that you do because of what he did… You don't know if this is true. By the way I hope you all know that his family is able to see these comments and seeing a comment about people wanting to kill a persons family member is pretty messed up! So how about get a life and stop being like idiots!
January 25, 2013 at 7:20 AM
I know him. Bob pimental is a great man. He would have never did this. The parents brain washed their kids to sew the school district.
January 25, 2013 at 9:02 AM
Thank you Johnathan and Tim – please do not allow the "immigrants" of Los Angeles have another way to get money for free!!!
January 24, 2013 at 10:53 PM
Wow. This is amazing.
January 24, 2013 at 10:53 PM
No armed teachers.
January 24, 2013 at 11:17 PM
Maybe we should give all the gifts for guns collected in Compton , to the students to protect themselves from these predatory teachers.I can see it now teacher walks up to student puts hand on leg, student puts gun in teachers crotch teacher promptly removes hand with a new found level of respect for student.
January 25, 2013 at 7:22 AM
He is innocent until proven guilty. Why are you so reliant in your f!ckin media!
January 25, 2013 at 8:42 AM
By the sounds of it, many of you must have been the "accusers" in the McMartin School case.
Whether you LIKE IT OR NOT, a person is not GUILTY until PROVEN so – and believe it or not, there are those who are using this "inappropriate touching" – which is "subjective," whether you want to believe it or not – as a bank roll. It is called "cha ching"
After a young boy was awarded 6.7 million in Los Angeles a couple of months ago they charges are on the uptake!!! Watch, how many more of these are going to happen – the "immigrant" community has found the achilles heel of the peeps in Los Angeles. Good luck suckers.
January 25, 2013 at 8:59 AM
I would like to see that those of you who are so quick to judge a man who is not guilty, reap what you sow. May you or someone you love and care for be accused of something they didn't do and that will run their whole life. The POX on you and whammy!
January 25, 2013 at 9:43 AM
THIS IS NOT HIS FIRST TIME. HE WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION FROM NEWPORT BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR MOLESTING HIS NIECE. SHE LATER DROPPED CHARGES BECAUSE THEY PRESSURED HER TO SHUT UP!!!!!!!! HE HAS 2 YOUNG BOYS WHO NEED TO BE INTERVIEWED. I AM SURE THEY HAVE BEEN ABUSED