A Rialto elementary school teacher was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of possessing child sexual abuse material, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said.
On Oct. 8, the department’s Specialized Investigations Division — Crimes Against Children Detail began investigating after receiving a tip reporting that child sexual abuse material had been downloaded from an internet address located in the Colton area. Detectives later identified the suspect as Colton resident Steve Paul Perry Popper, 47 a teacher at Bemis Elementary School in Rialto.
During the investigation, detectives uncovered evidence indicating Popper had sexually abused multiple victims, officials said.
On Oct. 29, Popper was arrested and booked into the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino on suspicion of committing lewd acts with a child under 14 by force or duress, additional lewd acts with a child under 14, and possession of child pornography. His bail was set at $500,000.
Detectives believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information or who believes they were victimized is urged to contact Detective Jason Desario at 909-890-4904. Anonymous tips can be submitted through We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME or online at wetip.com.
