Teacher’s Molest Arrest Expunged From the Record
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An Orange County judge on Friday ruled that a Huntington Beach elementary school teacher accused of molesting his students is “factually innocent” of the charges.
A jury found Jeffrey Kent Atkinson, 54, not guilty of the charges last month, but Superior Court Judge Dennis Choate’s ruling goes further by expunging the records of his arrest.
The records must be sealed immediately, then destroyed in two years, the order said.
“He didn’t do anything illegal, and there was no justification for him being prosecuted,” said Atkinson’s attorney, Kenneth Schreiber.
Prosecutors opposed Atkinson’s request.
“We are disappointed in the court’s ruling. But we accept it and we are moving on,” said Asst. Dist. Atty. Rick King.
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