Published: Tuesday, January 31, 2012; Last Updated: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 11:27 AM EST
By The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — A former Los Angeles elementary school teacher has been arrested after he allegedly gagged and made bondage photos of nearly two dozen children — possibly inside a classroom.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says 61-year-old Mark Berndt was arrested at his Torrance home on Monday. He is jailed Tuesday on $2.3 million bail.
He’s been charged with committing lewd acts with 23 boys and girls ages 7 to 10.
Berndt worked for more than 30 years at Miramonte Elementary School in unincorporated area of south Los Angeles. He’s been fired.
The investigation began when a film processor gave authorities some 40 photographs depicting blindfolded children in a classroom with their mouths taped shut.
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