Valley PE Teacher Charged With Lewd Acts Involving Student

BURBANK, CA — An elementary school gym teacher at a private school in Burbank was charged Friday with five felony counts of lewd acts on a minor involving a student.

Dimitri Altobar, a 33-year-old physical education teacher, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of committing lewd acts with a minor, according to the Burbank Police Department. He pleaded not guilty to five counts of committing lewd acts with a child under the age of 14 years and was ordered to be held without bail, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

"The weekslong investigation has revealed that Mr. Altobar had inappropriate contact with a student while entrusted in his official capacity as a physical education teacher at St. Francis Xavier School in Burbank," according to a statement by the Burbank Police Department. "Mr. Altobar has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation."

The charges against Altobar allege that the crimes occurred between March 1 and April 28, and include an allegation that he "took advantage of a position of trust and confidence."

The investigation continued for weeks before he was arrested.

The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to call the Burbank Police Department at 818-238-3210.