Ex-teacher accused of inappropriately touching students could face more charges

A former Miami-Dade teacher accused of inappropriately touching elementary-school students and showing them pornographic videos and images was formally charged on Thursday — and might face additional allegations.

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Prosecutors charged Cesar Cardoso, 53, with 13 offenses, including two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation, which is punishable by up to life in prison. Cardoso, dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit, sat quietly during the brief hearing.

As a result of the newly filed charges, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Zachary James said Cardoso will be held in jail without bond as he awaits his trial. Cardoso, who was a teacher at Sunset Park Elementary, is accused of inappropriate conduct with at least five students.

Defense attorney Michael Mirer said he intended on seeking an Arthur hearing but won’t until any other charges are filed. In an Arthur hearing, a judge can consider setting a bond for a defendant charged with a crime that isn’t normally eligible for bail.

In court, prosecutor Marie Koth said she believes more counts will be filed in the coming days. Police are investigating more allegations, including the account of a victim who was interviewed on Thursday morning.

The Miami-Dade Schools Police Department began investigating Cardoso in April. A girl told officers Cardoso would remove her from physical-education class and lunch along with another girl and take them to his classroom where he would show them the videos and photos, including a naked photo of himself, according to his arrest report.

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One of the five students interviewed by police said Cardoso began to touch her when she was nearing the end of third grade, according to the report. The inappropriate touching included slapping her on the buttocks and touching her hair and thighs, the report states.

Another student at the Kendall-area school said Cardoso showed her a video depicting a boy between 12 and 14 having sex with a woman. He is also accused of asking girls if they wanted to kiss him, the report states.

Outside the courtroom, attorney Mirer told reporters that Cardoso is “adamant that he is not guilty” and will be fighting the charges.

A Miami-Dade County Public Schools spokesperson said the district removed Cardoso from his classroom the day after the girl reported the behavior, and he was fired in May.

“Behavior of this nature will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Although he is no longer employed by M-DCPS, he is permanently precluded from seeking or obtaining future employment with the district,” spokesperson Carlos Sarmiento said in a statement.

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Miami Herald Staff Writer David Goodhue contributed to this report