Robert Benson Adams, the owner and principal of the Creative Frontiers School in Citrus Heights, was arrested on September 7 on charges that he fondled at least seven girls over the past 15 years, MSNBC is reporting. The small private school, which is located in the middle-class suburb about 20 miles northeast of Sacramento, was shut down in mid-July after a complaint was filed by the California Department of Social Services.

Adams has denied the charges, and said at a press conference a few days after the school closed that he welcomes a full investigation. He faces six felony counts of committing lewd and lascivious acts on children under 14 and one misdemeanor charge of annoying or molesting a child under 18. He is scheduled to be arraigned on September 9.

The girls, who were between 4 and 7, told investigators that Adams called them into his office and pulled them into his lap. Citrus Heights Police Chief Christopher Boyd has said that more witnesses have come forward since July, and the most recent crime occurred in June.

Two teachers have separately told investigators that they walked in on Adams touching the girls. One of the teachers, Bethany Soloman, said she saw him put his hand under one of the student’s skirt in his office in 2007. Another teacher, April Thompson, said she saw Adams lying on a mat next to a 4-year-old during nap time. The girl’s parents told Thompson the next day that their daughter said Adams touched her inappropriately.

Adams could face up to eight years in a state prison for each of the six felony counts if convicted. He also faces a fine of up to $5,000 and at least a year in a county jail if convicted on the misdemeanor charge.

Written by: Karen Benardello