American Canyon teacher pleads not guilty in alleged sexual abuse case

A former American Canyon teacher accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old student pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 21 charges related to the case, according to court records.

Appearing in Napa County Superior Court in Napa, Brad Rowell was scheduled to return to court on August 5. At that time, a preliminary hearing will be scheduled.

Rowell, 41, remains incarcerated at the Napa County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail, according to jail records.

Prosecutors with the Napa County District Attorney's Office say Rowell and the girl, now 16, engaged in sexual acts on campus. Investigators said there were also more than 1,300 text messages between the two, some including sexually explicit photos and videos of the teen.

Rowell was arrested April 9 after the student reported the alleged incidents to a school resource officer, who then notified Napa County sheriff's investigators.

Rowell was initially released after posting bail. But he was arrested a second time following evidence that emerged during further investigation, officials said.

On April 17, Napa Valley Unified School District officials held a public forum for parents and students to discuss the issue.

During the meeting, district Superintendent Rosanna Mucetti said Rowell would be fired and officials asked the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to revoke his teaching credentials.

You can contact editor Colin Atagi at [email protected]. On Twitter @colin_atagi