Former Teacher Sentenced To 8 Months Of House Arrest For Child Porn Charge

A former San Jose teacher who pleaded no contest to child pornography charges in August was sentenced to eight months of house arrest this morning in Santa Clara County Superior Court.



Clifford Pappadakis, 47, was a physical education teacher and track coach at Willow Glen Middle School when he was arrested in February for having child pornography on multiple devices.



Parents witnessed Pappadakis taking photos of female students in September 2017 and reported the incident to the school, which led to his arrest. His twin brother Clinton was arrested days later for similar crimes as a track coach at Oak Grove High School.



Pappadakis appeared today in front of Judge Arthur Bocanegra, who said the plaintiff had accepted responsibility for his conduct and demonstrated remorse.



Bocanegra said Pappadakis eliminated the need for victims to appear in court by pleading no contest to a felony child pornography possession charge and seven child annoyance misdemeanors.



Pappadakis lost his job and ability to work as a consequence of his actions, which were factored into the sentence, Bocanegra said.



The District Attorney's Office pursued a stronger sentence of at least a year in jail, but Bocanegra ultimately handed down an eight-month sentence with eligibility for house arrest and three years of probation beginning today.



Deputy District Attorney Michael Gilman said the sentence was not negotiated between the prosecution and the defense because Pappadakis entered a no contest plea by himself. Gilman didn't believe it was an adequate sentence, and said Pappadakis did not commit a victimless crime, though it was nonviolent.



The parents of one of the young female victims were present at today's hearing and said afterward they were disappointed and bitter Pappadakis did not receive jail time. They did not want to be identified due to the risk of their daughter's name being exposed.



"We have to go back and tell our daughter, 'Guess what, the judge didn't think it was that big of a deal,'" the victim's mother said.



The parents felt Pappadakis was able to buy his way out of jail time, beginning with him posting bail after the arrest and hiring an expensive defense lawyer. They said other parents were not comfortable appearing in court, but the group had hoped for a stronger sentence.



"These girls indirectly get to join the "#MeToo" movement," the victim's mother said. "What a shame, at such a young age."



Pappadakis will also have to pay fines, enroll in a sex offender management program and is prohibited from living with anyone younger than the age of 18, except for his son.



Defense attorney Steven Clark said Pappadakis expressed remorse for his behavior and is "deeply sorry" he committed the crime.



"In addition to all the other requirements, this is a man who has lost his career as a result of this conviction and is going to be seeking employment so that he can not only assist in taking care of his family ... but make restitution." Clark said, emphasizing that Pappadakis pleaded no contest to avoid bringing the victims to court.



"He's looking forward to rebuilding his life and he appreciates the support that he did receive from his family and his friends," he added.





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