A veteran teacher at a Miami-Dade elementary school accused of inappropriately touching female students has pleaded not guilty.
Alejandro Perez entered the plea during a formal arraignment Friday, following his arrest last month on lewd and lascivious molestation and lewd and lascivious conduct on a child charges. Perez was a fifth-grade teacher at Charles R. Hadley Elementary School.
At least six fifth-grade students came forward, claiming Perez would touch them inappropriately over and under their clothing, according to an arrest report. Detectives were provided with three different cellphone videos taken by students that showed Perez touching the victims, the report said.
Perez had been employed with Miami-Dade County Public Schools for 34 years and has had no reported prior incidents. The district said in a statement after his arrest that it has begun the employment termination process.
Perez has been in jail with no bond since his arrest. His next scheduled court appearance is May 13.
