Former Miramonte Elementary School Teacher Enters Plea, Sentenced to 25 Years

Former Miramonte Elementary School teacher Mark Berndt appeared in court today to enter a no contest plea to all 23 charges against him. Berndt was accused of sexual abuse and sex crimes involving lewd acts with children, including taking hundreds of pictures of students, some of whom were blindfolded, gagged, or forced to have life insects on their faces. Berndt also allegedly conducted "tasting games," during which he reportedly fed students cookies laced with his semen.

This morning – Friday, November 15, 2013 – Berndt pleaded no contest to allegations that he committed lewd acts on more than 20 students. In exchange, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Our California sexual abuse attorneys at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP are currently working co-counsel on dozens of yet-to-be-resolved cases involving Miramonte elementary school victims. For more information about Berndt's plea and sentencing, as well as comments about the case from a member of our legal team, view this press release.