Community Corner
Cottrell Pleads 'Not Guilty' to Sex Crime Charges
Possession of child pornography counts added to 19 previous charges.
Diablo View Middle School teacher Andrew Cottrell pleaded not guilty to 21 sex crime charges and a misdemeanor involving an underage former student.
Cottrell, who is being represented by the Public Defender's Office, was arrested by Walnut Creek Police on school grounds Dec. 9 and now faces two charges of possession of child pornography, according to court records.
He faces one misdemeanor and 21 felony charges, total -- six of which are for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor under 16; six charges of lewd acts with a victim who is 15 years or 14 years old and seven counts for oral copulation with victim under 16 years old.
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He appeared today before California Supreme Court Judge Clare Maier in Martinez, where a hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 19.
Police said Cottrell provided a "full confession" following his arrest.
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