-- Deepa Bharath BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS...

-- Deepa Bharath

BRIEFLY IN

THE NEWS

Teacher pleads not guilty to assaults

A 35-year-old substitute teacher who once worked at Corona del Mar

High and TeWinkle Middle schools pleaded not guilty Wednesday to

charges of sexually assaulting female students.

Todd Jerome Haluch of Huntington Beach faces a total of 17 felony

counts of sexual assault and one count of witness intimidation. He

was first arrested on Sept. 13 after a therapist who treated one of

the victims told police about it. Haluch bailed out the same day

after posting $250,000 bail. But a second warrant with four fresh

charges issued Sept. 26 led to another arrest Sept. 30.

Newport-Mesa Unified School District officials said Haluch has not

worked in any of their schools in two years.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Beth Costello said Wednesday that some of the

five victims attended Newport-Mesa schools.

The Newport Beach Police Department is the lead agency on the case

because the complaint originated in that city.

Haluch’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 14.