Ex-Parlier teacher accused of sex crimes with student

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A former Parlier math teacher and varsity basketball coach accused of sex crimes with a 16-year-old student has pleaded not guilty.

Anthony Lepore is now bound by a criminal protective order. It means he cannot have any contact with the student at all. The parents of the young woman have also filed a lawsuit against Parlier Unified for hiring Lepore.

Lepore pleaded not guilty to two felony sex crimes Friday. Moments later, the judge agreed to sign off on a new condition to make sure he stays far away from the teenage girl.

"You are to have no contact with the victim," said Superior Court Judge Kimberly Gaab. "That means at least 100 yards away. It also means no personal, electronic contact, no Facebook, no text messaging, no phone call, no contact through a third person other than through an attorney."

According to an arrest warrant, Lepore picked up the girl on a Friday night in January after the two arranged over text messages for her to sneak out of her house. But while she was out, her parents called police to report her missing. During their outing, investigators say the teacher had intimate relations with the girl and was confronted by her parents when he dropped her off. After nearly 10 months under investigation, charges were just filed recently.

Lepore's attorney, Eric Green said, "The most important thing about today is we're finally getting the process started after all these months, so we can eventually clear his name."

Lepore's truck was taken to be analyzed in January but was never returned by Sanger police. Friday the judge also decided the burgundy pick up should be given back.

"The Sanger Police Department has had that since January the 18th or 19th of this year, to search it for DNA specimens. Hell as long as they've had that truck they could've rebuilt it by now."

Prosecutors also handed over 300 pages of discovery they have collected relating to the case the documents include interviews with several people, electronic evidence and forensic findings.

The protective order is in effect for the next three years and includes staying away from the victim while she is at school too.