A former Los Angeles teacher pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he sexually abused several of his students.

Robert Pimentel, 57, appeared in a Long Beach courtroom Thursday afternoon and entered his not guilty plea. Pimentel is charged with seven counts of lewd and lascivious acts with children younger than 14 and with eight felony counts of continuous sexual abuse involving eight victims. Police suspect there may be at least 20 victims.

Outside the courtroom, his attorney Richard Knickerbocker said Pimentel is "absolutely innocent."

Pimentel's lawyer described the touching as appropriate, and that it falls under the district's no touching policy. 

Read more at the LA Times