High School Volunteer Arrested On Child Porn Charges

SOUTH EL MONTE (CBSLA.com) — A volunteer who works with students at South El Monte High School has been arrested on child pornography charges.

Officials say the suspect took explicit pictures of one of the students in the school.

KCAL9's Cristy Fajardo spoke with the district superintendent about the charges against 30-year-old Andres Fernandez.

He was arrested December 30, according to sheriff's department officials. He was booked on suspicion of possessing obscene material involving children.

Fernandez had been volunteering at the school for about a year.

Fajardo asked Nick Salerno, the superintendent, if the scope of the investigation was limited to one student.

"As far as we know, right now. Yes, that's correct," said Salerno.

It was alleged that Fernandez gave a student or students alcohol and then took explicit pictures of at least one of them while they were sleeping.

Salerno said he couldn't confirm, or comment on, details about the investigation because he didn't want to jeopardize a possible criminal case.

He did say the district learned of the allegations just before the winter break and school officials immediately notified the sheriff's department.

He says Fernandez was put on administrative leave then fired -- even before he was arrested.

Salerno expects parents will be upset by a lack of information in the matter but insists that student safety is the district's top priority.

Fajardo said Fernandez is out on bail. He posted $20,000 bond the same day he booked, she reported.