Ex-teacher held on molest charges

A former private school teacher has been arrested and charged with molesting two 9-year-old girls two decades ago.

Mark Walter Sonnenburg, 53, allegedly molested the first victim, a student at the Eagle Rock Montessori school, between January and August of 1998, according to Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

He allegedly abused the second victim Aug. 14 of the same year.

The crime was not reported until last year.

Sonnenburg recently worked at the Walden School in Pasadena but left his job in March, according to a statement from the school.

Sonnenburg was never suspected of abusing a student there, according to the statement.

Sonnenburg was arrested by city police last Friday. He is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 20 and is being held in lieu of a $300,000 bail.