Calif. instructor faces theft charges.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- An education professor at California State University, Sacramento is facing charges in Riverside County that he stole $20,000 worth of computer and camera equipment from a community college.

Jose Lorenzo Chavez pleaded not guilty to the charges; a trial date is pending.

Chavez is accused of stealing the electronic equipment from Riverside Community College in Norco, where he was dean of students when he was arrested in 2001.

Chavez's attorney Jeff Van-Wagenen didn't return a phone call seeking comment.

CSU Sacramento spokes woman Ann Reed said campus officials were unaware of the criminal charges when they hired Chavez in 2002. He will teach and advise students in the CSUS master's-degree program in education.

"Our lawyers are looking into the situation thoroughly," Reed said. "Obviously, this person is going through the court system, and we must await that outcome. However, if we find that information on the application form is inaccurate or that there was information we should have been advised of and weren't, we might take steps."

Chavez faces up to four years in state prison if convicted, said Ingrid Wyatt, spokeswoman for the Riverside County District Attorney's Office.