A decision was reached on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, that Raymond Lewis Firth, 38, a former teacher at Pacific Rim Elementary School in Carlsbad, California will stand trial on January 12, 2010 to face multiple charges of committing lewd acts with three minors younger than 14 during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 school years.
In a statement given to the San Diego Union Tribune by Torrie Norton, the Assistant Superintendent for personnel at the Carlsbad Unified School District, Firth was placed on paid administrative leave on September 7, 2007, when allegations first surfaced. He officially resigned his teaching position with the District on October 19, 2007.
According to Deputy District Attorney Kelly Mok, Firth was called to Vista Superior Court on Tuesday where he submitted a plea of not guilty and posted bail of $450,000. He is currently at liberty until his trial date in January 2010.
If Firth is found guilty on all counts, he could face up to 18 years in state prison stated DDA Mok. Firth is currently represented by Criminal Attorney Robert Boyce.
False accusations of sexual abuse or molestation are quite common and can be devastating. Penalties frequently include prison time and sex offender registration. If you have been accused of sexual abuse or forced touching, it is essential to contact a criminal defense attorney right away. An experienced sex crimes attorney like those at Pro Law Partners may be able to help you avoid conviction of an offense that requires sex offender registration.
Blog Sources: Lieberman; San Diego Union-Tribune 10/29/2009
