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A 32-year-old English teacher at Oceanside High School has pleaded innocent in Vista Municipal Court to two felony counts of statutory rape and one misdemeanor count of molestation involving a 16-year-old student.
The teacher, Leonard Palos de la Rosa of Vista, was released on his own recognizance after having surrendered to authorities.
Oceanside Unified School District officials said De la Rosa, who had taught for nine years at Oceanside High School, was placed on paid administrative leave Dec. 14 after Oceanside police began investigating the accusations.
De la Rosa was put on unpaid compulsory leave by the school board Tuesday night, however, after the district attorney’s office filed formal charges earlier in the day.
Deputy District Atty. Caryn Rosen said allegations about De La Rosa’s misconduct were brought to the attention of school officials by a friend of the victim.
A March 11 preliminary hearing for De la Rosa was set by Presiding Judge Michael Harris.
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