A former UCLA Athletics official charged with possession of child pornography pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Friday morning.
Michael Sondheimer, who was UCLA’s associate athletic director for recruiting, voluntarily resigned from his position in July after he was placed on administrative leave in June for alleged inappropriate conduct, the university said. He was arraigned Friday at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Downtown Los Angeles.
The alleged offense occurred April 24, according to a press release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.
Sondheimer was found in possession of child pornography on his work-issued laptop computer, said Deputy District Attorney Samer Hathout of the High Technology Crime Division in the press release.
University police arrested Sondheimer at his home on Feb. 27, one day after the Los Angeles County District Attorney filed a single felony count against Sondheimer for possession of child pornography and issued a warrant for his arrest, the university said.
If convicted, Sondheimer faces a maximum sentence of three years in state prison, according to the press release.
The university said there is no information to suggest Sondheimer solicited or targeted anyone associated with UCLA. The case remains under investigation by UCPD.
Sondheimer’s next court date is set for May 8.
Compiled by Yael Levin, Bruin senior staff.