SANTA FE, NM (AP) -- A former Santa Fe elementary school teacher maintained his innocence while pleading no contest Friday to molesting students and avoided jail time through a plea agreement.
Ernest Dominguez, 35, was accused of reaching into the pants of four boys - fifth and sixth graders at Salazar Elementary School in 2001 and 2002 - to fondle their genitals.
Dominguez pleaded no contest to four counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor. He received probation for up to 20 years, must register as a sex offender and won't be allowed around children, the mentally ill or the elderly.
He previously taught from 1997-98 at a Tucumcari elementary school, where he was accused of nearly identical behavior. However, no charges were filed in those instances.
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