Swim instructor pleads not guilty to sexual assault charges

NEWPORT BEACH — An Irvine swim instructor pleaded not guilty Friday to sexually assaulting a 15-year-old student between 2010 and January of this year.

Todd Robert Sousa, 36, is accused of more than a dozen counts of unlawful sexual intercourse and lewd acts on a child.

Prosecutors said he repeatedly had sex with the girl. One of the girl’s friends found out and told her parents, who called police.

Sousa faces up to 13 years in prison if convicted.

Joseph Serna