Ex-Teacher at Elite L.A. Girls’ School Pleads Not Guilty to Felony Sex Charges

Former Marlborough School teacher Joseph Thomas Koetters, left, is arraigned Feb. 25, 2015, in Los Angeles County Superior Court on felony sex counts stemming from an alleged relationship with a former 16-year-old female student. Koetters is represented by his attorney, Leonard Levine, right. (Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

by: Los Angeles Times

Posted: Feb 25, 2015 / 12:39 PM PST

Updated: Feb 25, 2015 / 12:41 PM PST

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A former English teacher at Marlborough School in Los Angeles accused of felony sex crimes involving a former student made his first court appearance Wednesday, pleading not guilty to the charges.

Joseph Thomas Koetters, 47, who was arrested earlier this month, faces two counts each of oral copulation and penetration with a foreign object involving someone under 18, according to the district attorney’s office.

Koetters pleaded not guilty on all charges and is free on $140,000 bail.

Koetters said little during his appearance. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Sergio C. Tapia II ordered that Koetters remain at least 100 yards away from the alleged victim, noting that she was listed as “Jane Doe” in the criminal complaint. Tapia said that he was told that Koetters knew the real name of the alleged victim.

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