Former Teacher Accused Of Molesting 2 Female Students, Possessing Child Porn

NEWPORT BEACH (CBS) — A former teacher was arrested Thursday on charges of molesting two female students and possessing child pornography after authorities say the lewd photos were found on a disc he left behind after moving.

Alex Bassinne, 50, of Newport Beach, was charged with one felony count each of lewd acts upon a child under 14, lewd acts upon a child and possession and control of child pornography, according to the Orange County District Attorney's office. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of nine years and four months in state prison.

Bassinne previously worked as a teacher at Santa Ana High School and Raymond A. Villa Fundamental Intermediate School. Police say Bassinne molested a 15-year-old student in February of 2009 by touching her buttocks during a class trip.

Bassinne is also accused of looking down the shirt of a 13-year-old student in November of 2010. When the girl tried to move her shirt to stop him, Bassinne allegedly grabbed her shirt and positioned it so he could continue looking down it, prosecutors said.

In 2011, Bassinne moved with his family from a home in Laguna Niguel to a home in Newport Beach, leaving behind furniture, including a desk, authorities said. In April 2011, someone discovered a disc inside the desk, which contained images of graphic child pornography depicting girls, about 10 to 12 years old, according to the complaint.

Newport Beach Police officers searching Bassinne's home found more child pornography similar to what was found in the Laguna Niguel home, the District Attorney's office said. Newport Beach police probed Bassinne's history as a teacher and subsequently discovered the assaults against the two students, officials said.

Bassinne was released Thursday on $100,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned June 15.