A former Los Angeles elementary school teacher who taught for more than 35 years has been arrested on accusations he sexually abused 20 students.
Police say Robert Pimentel has been charged with 15 felonies, and he is expected to be charged with misdemeanors for the remaining incidents at George De La Torre Jr. Elementary in the Wilmington area of Los Angeles.
Pimentel's bail has been set at $12 million, and an arraignment date hasn't been set.
Police and school officials also said Pimentel is also suspected of the sexual abuse of one adult, but did not say what role if any that person had at the school.
Pimentel, 57, left his fourth-grade teaching position last March when allegations arose from several girls who told their parents he inappropriately touched them during school and police opened an investigation.
District officials immediately removed him from campus and parents and state credentialing authorities were informed, school district spokesman Daryl Strickland said.
Parents and guardians will be told of the arrest by letter and phone, he said.
'Due to the number of victims involved in this case, that's what took so long for it to culminate,' said Det. Gus Villanueva with the LAPD told ABC7.
