With his bail set a $23 million, the former south L.A. teacher accused of molesting and photographing elementary school children will not be deprived of his pension.
Mark Berndt, 61 taught for 30 years at Miramonte Elementary School and was arrested on Monday following a lengthy investigation. He is accused to taking lewd photographs in his classroom of students blindfolded, with cockroaches on their faces being fed with spoons and cookies apparently containing his semen.
The investigation started last March when he attempted to develop photos at a drug store and authorities were contacted. There were some 300 photos, and law requires photo techs to report child porn material to authorities.
According to KABC news in Los Angeles, Berndt will receive his teacher's pension in spite of the allegations, to the disbelief of many. Serious questions have been raised and outrage expressed by many including parents, former and present students, school and law enforcement authorities.
He made his first court appearance on Wednesday in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom. He agreed to postpone entering his plea for about three weeks.
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