Now-former elementary school teacher John Austin Hopkins, 25, has been indicted on 36 felony counts of gross sexual imposition involving at least 28 female first-graders
An Ohio judge set a $500,000 bond for a former elementary school teacher charged with molesting at least 28 female first graders in full view of their classmates - and security cameras - over the course of three months.
John Austin Hopkins, 25, was indicted on Monday on 36 felony counts of gross sexual imposition involving students at Clearcreek Elementary School in Springboro, where he had worked as a physical education teacher until March.
Hopkins, whose hands and feet were shackled during his court appearance, has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing.
Judge Robert Peeler of the Warren County Common Pleas Court ruled on Thursday that Hopkins could be freed from jail if he puts down 10 percent of the bond sum - or $50,000, WKEF-TV reported.
If he posts bond, Hopkins would be confined to house arrest.
He would also be barred from having any contact with minors, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Hopkins' lawyers argued that their client should be released on bond because 'he's got nowhere to go' and could have fled if he chose to.
Instead, Hopkins voluntarily turned himself in, the lawyers said.
Hopkins is represented by the father and son team of David Allen Chicarelli and David Anthony Chicarelli.
The judge rejected that argument, calling the charges against Hopkins 'overwhelmingly concerning.'
Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell said during a press conference on Monday that Hopkins' indictment came following a three-month investigation into allegations of inappropriate contact against the first-year teacher.
Officials reviewed 90 days’ worth of security footage recorded between December 2018 and March 2019 at the school, and were able to identify 88 potential victims.
Hopkins quit his job teaching physical education at Clearcreek Elementary School in Springboro, Ohio (pictured) in March after a parent accused him of sexual
