UPDATE | A Long Beach man pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of possessing child pornography today, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office.

Eric James Mitchell—a Torrance middle school music teacher—was charged in March with one count of possessing more than 600 images of child pornography.

Law enforcement agents raided Mitchell’s Long Beach home on March 25 and found sexually explicit images of minors on digital devices, Hathout said. He was arrested at Calle Mayor Middle School the same day.

If convicted he faces up to five years in state prison, officials stated.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations continues to investigate the case after a tip originating from Brussels, Belgium led them to Mitchell.

PREVIOUSLY: Middle School Teacher Appears in Court to Face Possession Charge for Child Pornography Found in Long Beach Home

04/22/16 at 1:28PM | A Long Beach man made an initial court appearance in Los Angeles Friday on a child pornography charge but was ordered to return next month, the District Attorney’s office announced.

Eric James Mitchell—who is a Torrance middle school music teacher—was ordered to return to court May 19 for his arraignment and was barred by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Sergio C. Tapia II from using the Internet, said Deputy District Attorney Samer Hathout.

The 36-year-old was charged with one count of possessing more than 600 images of child pornography.

Law enforcement agents raided Mitchell’s Long Beach home on March 25 and found sexually explicit images of minors on digital devices, Hathout said. He was arrested at Calle Mayor Middle School the same day.

If convicted he faces up to five years in state prison, officials stated.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations continues to investigate the case after a tip originating from Brussels, Belgium led them to Mitchell.


 

City News Service contributed to this report.


Stephanie Rivera is the community engagement editor. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter at @StephRivera88.