A San Diego school official arrested on 14 counts of child molestation made his first court appearance this afternoon.
Kettrell Berry, 49, plead not guilty to the charges while about a dozen of his family members and friends were in court to support him.
Berry used to be an assistant principal at the San Diego Children's Center - a school in Kearny Mesa that helps troubled youth. He worked there for nine years before being fired on April 19.
On Tuesday, prosecutor Renee Palermo said Berry had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old female student that spanned four months.
Palermo said the teen never reported the relationship and suspicious faculty members brought up their concerns.
Berry's attorney maintains that his client is a good mentor to his students and also said Berry has five kids of his own and is married.
The deputy district attorney asked that his bail be set at $500,000 but it was reduced to $150,000.
If convicted on all counts, Berry could spend more than 11 years behind bars.
Keep up to date on breaking news: Download our improved iPhone app, follow us on Twitter @nbcsandiego, fan us on Facebook, sign up for our breaking news e-mail alerts or text SDBREAKING to 622339 to receive text messages for local breaking news. (For more info, text HELP. To end, text STOP. Message and data rates may apply.)
