No Molestation Charges Filed Against Albany Teacher; Investigation Continues
ALBANY (CBS SF) - A sixth-grade teacher at Albany Middle School who was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of performing a lewd act with a child under 14 hasn't been charged because the case remains under investigation, authorities said Friday.
James Izumizaki, 28, was arrested at his home in Albany on a warrant that was the result of an investigation into reports that he had an inappropriate relationship with a former student, according to Albany police.
Izumizaki, who has been employed as a teacher and coach at Albany Middle School for several years, was booked into Santa Rita Jail in Dublin but he has now been released on $100,000 bail.
An Alameda County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman said Izumizaki tentatively is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 24 if charges are filed by then.
Albany Unified School District Superintendent Marla Stephenson said at a media briefing Thursday that Izumizaki began working for the district in 2007 as a long-term substitute teacher and was hired as a sixth-grade teacher in 2008.
Stephenson said Izumizaki was very involved in the school, participating in a student government program and coaching seventh-grade volleyball and eighth-grade boys' basketball.
Stephenson said she learned of the alleged misconduct Monday, and that the school district contacted Child Protective Services and Albany police.
Izumizaki was placed on leave that afternoon.
Albany police said anyone who has information about Izumizaki or any other inappropriate conduct that may have occurred to contact them at (510) 528-5783.
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