Los Angeles: LAPD Juvenile Division’s Sexually Exploited Child Unit (SECU) has been involved in an investigation involving a teacher at George De La Torre Jr. Elementary School in Wilmington. SECU detectives assumed the investigation on March 15, 2012.
The investigation began when several girls told their parents that they had been inappropriately touched by a fourth grade teacher during school at George De La Torre Jr. Elementary. The teacher, Robert Pimental, age 57, of Newport Beach, California, has been employed by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) since 1974. At the onset of the investigation, Pimental left his position with the LAUSD.
The subsequent investigation revealed a total of 20 victims, 19 children and one adult victim.
The case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office who filed eight counts of violation of 288.5(a) Penal Code, Continuous Sexual Abuse, and seven counts of 288(a) Penal Code, Lewd Acts Upon A Child, against Pimentel.
On January 23, 2013, Pimental was arrested by the LAPD, and is being held at LAPD Metropolitan Detention Center. His bail has been set at $12,000,000.
Anyone with information regarding this matter is asked to call Juvenile Detective Division at 213-486-0570. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.