A former Atascadero teacher charged with dozens of counts related to making and possessing child pornography has pleaded not guilty.
Chris Berdoll entered the plea in a San Luis Obispo courtroom Thursday afternoon.
He was arrested Sept. 10 and later charged with 44 counts, 24 of them alleging the 48-year-old used underage children “to pose or model alone and with others for the purpose of preparing photographs to depict child pornography.”
The other 20 counts are related to possessing child pornography.
At the time of his arrest, Berdoll was a sixth-grade and visual arts teacher at the Atascadero Fine Arts Academy. He was placed on leave after the district says it was made aware of the allegations but has since resigned.
Berdoll, who posted $500,000 bail shortly after his arrest, remains out of custody.
He is due back in court Nov. 13.
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