First grade teacher pleads no contest to two counts of continued sexual abuse of a child.
More than a dozen students may have been victimized.
Jan 24, 2007 - Rogelio Cardenas, 60, a first-grade teacher at Del Rey Elementary School was arraigned via closed-circuit television. He pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of continued sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 14. He also faces special allegations of having multiple victims.
So far, he is accused of sexually abusing two 6-year-old girls starting last August at the school. Sheriff's detectives are looking into similar allegations involving at least 15 other students, and more charges may surface.
Cardenas surrendered to authorities Friday after a $1million warrant was issued for his arrest. A pretrial is scheduled for next Monday.
Full name: Rogelio Alvino Cardenas
NOT GUILTY PLEA Daily Press: Cardenas pleaded not guilty. "Childmolestation suspect says he fears for his safety."
Cardenas interrupted the hearing twice — the first time because he was unclear about the court process and the second because he wanted to announce in court that he felt his safety was in jeopardy.He is being held on $1 million bail.
In fact, Cardenas appeared at his hearing in a dark green jumpsuit, which indicates he’s already being held in protective custody, said Mark Shoup of the public defender’s office in Victorville.
NO CONTEST PLEA Dec 15 - Cardenas pleaded no contest to two counts of continued sexual abuse of a child. More than a dozen students may have been victimized, deputies said. He will be sentenced Jan 29.
