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Clovis teacher arrested in student molest case

By Eddie Jimenez and Samuel Cosby - The Fresno Bee

Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012 | 12:51 AM

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A second-grade Clovis teacher was arrested Friday on suspicion of multiple counts of child molestation, Clovis police said Saturday.

Neng Yang, 43, of Clovis, a teacher at Freedom Elementary School, is accused of 18 counts of child molestation, one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child, nine counts of having a minor perform prohibited acts and nine counts of possessing material depicting a minor engaging in or simulating sexual conduct, police said.

Yang was hired by Clovis Unified as an instructional aide in 1993. He was hired to teach at Fancher Creek Elementary in 1997 and transferred to Freedom in 2007, district spokeswoman Kelly Avants said.

The investigation of Yang began when Clovis police received information about possible inappropriate behavior by a teacher at Freedom with a student.

Investigators have identified one victim but are asking other possible victims to call Clovis police at (559) 324-2471.

Yang's wife, Kia Yang, is principal at Miramonte Elementary School in Clovis. The staff at both Miramonte and Freedom have been called for informational meetings today to discuss the incident and to prepare for any questions parents and students might have when they return to school on Monday, Avants said.

Clovis police are also working with Homeland Security investigators to bring federal charges against Yang related to the production of child-exploitation material.

Yang is being held without bail at Fresno County Jail. He was placed on leave Friday afternoon by the district, which intends to begin the process to fire him, Avants said.

His firing would not have to be contingent on a criminal conviction, she said.


Staff writer Samuel Cosby contributed to this report. The reporter can be reached at ejimenez@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6386.

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