Modesto junior high staffer pleads not guilty to sex crime charges involving minors
A staff member at La Loma Junior High School accused of sexually exploiting minors pleaded not guilty Thursday and was ordered held on $550,000 bail following his arraignment in Stanislaus County Superior Court.
Lawrence DeAndre Harris, 23, is facing five felony charges involving three alleged victims, all minors, according to court records. The charges include attempted lewd or lascivious acts on a child and sending harmful material to a minor.
Harris was arrested earlier this week following a Modesto Police Department investigation into alleged inappropriate communications with minors. Modesto City Schools district officials have said he has been removed from campus and no longer has access to school or district property.
During Thursday’s arraignment, Deputy District Attorney David Elgin told the court the case involves three victims and alleged Harris took advantage of a position of trust in committing the crimes. Prosecutors asked the court to deny bail or set it as scheduled at $550,000.
Judge David Hood set bail at $550,000, issued a criminal protective order against Harris and scheduled a bail review hearing for next week. Harris remains in custody and entered a plea of not guilty.
According to the criminal complaint filed Thursday, prosecutors allege the offenses occurred over multiple months, dating back to late November 2025. Court records identify the alleged victims as three children under the age of 14. Prosecutors further allege Harris used electronic communication in some of the offenses and that, if convicted, he would be required to register as a sex offender.
Each count in the complaint includes an aggravating factor alleging Harris took advantage of a position of trust or confidence in committing the offenses.
Harris is next scheduled to appear in court Jan. 28 for a bail review hearing.
