ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – An Albuquerque Public Schools employee on leave is accused of rape. He has submitted his plea.

Matthew Garcia, a Junior ROTC Instructor for APS has pleaded not guilty to child rape charges. He was charged in Bernalillo County with two counts of rape of a minor.

The alleged crimes happened in 2015 and 2016 when Garcia was working in the schools, but investigators said he didn’t gain access to the victim through the schools.

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APS said Garcia is on paid leave. The judge released Garcia on his own recognizance.