"SAN LEANDRO - Police here arrested a teacher at Bancroft Middle School after a 13-year-old girl reported that he'd inappropriately touched her repeatedly, starting when she was 12 years old, in what investigators described as "grooming stages," court records show. Laurentino Huerta-Garcia, 40, of Manteca, was charged in October with a single felony count of continuous sexual abuse of a child."
"The girl reportedly told police that she initially believed Huerta-Garcia had "accidentally" brushed his hand against her thigh or touched her buttocks last year, describing him as a cool teacher who was "like an uncle," but after it happened again this year she realized it was intentional, according to police. Huerta-Garcia has been under criminal investigation before, during his time at the Fremont Unified School District, when he was investigated for an alleged misdemeanor involving a teen girl, but never charged, authorities said."
Police arrested 40-year-old Laurentino Huerta-Garcia of Manteca after a 13-year-old reported repeated inappropriate touching that began when she was 12. Authorities characterized the conduct as occurring in grooming stages. Huerta-Garcia was charged with one felony count of continuous sexual abuse of a child. He pleaded not guilty and posted $250,000 bail before release. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January to let a judge review prosecutorial evidence. San Leandro Unified School District investigated and concluded Huerta-Garcia likely touched the student inappropriately; he no longer appears on the school's faculty page. Officials also reported a 2022 investigation in Fremont that resulted in no charges.
Read at The Mercury News
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