Ex-4th grade teacher sentenced to 12 years for sex abuse of students, relative

LOS ANGELES -- Robert Pimentel, a former 4th-grade teacher in Wilmington, was sentenced Thursday to 12 years in prison for sexually abusing students and a relative.

Pimentel, 58, pleaded no contest in May to three felony counts of committing lewd acts with a child three students at George De La Torre Jr. Elementary School, and one count of continuous sexual abuse involving a female relative between 2002 and 2004.

Pimentel was removed from the classroom in March 2012 when an investigation began. Parents were notified within 72 hours of his removal. Pimentel retired before LAUSD efforts to fire him were completed.

The LAPD said the investigation began when several girls told parents they had been inappropriately touched by a 4th-grade teacher.

Pimentel was ordered to stand trial in May on six counts of continuous sexual abuse and eight counts of lewd acts upon a children involving nine students and a female relative. Ten charges involving six former students were dismissed as a result of a plea deal.

City News Service contributed to this report.