XPost: ca.politics, sac.politics, school.teachers   
   XPost: talk.politics.guns   
   From: losers@dnc.org   
      
   RIALTO, Calif. (KABC) -- On a night meant for costumes and candy, the   
   Rialto community is haunted by something far darker, a teacher accused   
   of preying on the children he was trusted to protect.   
      
   Steve Paul Popper, 47, a special education teacher at Bemis Elementary   
   School, is behind bars facing eight felony charges, including forcible   
   lewd acts with children under 14.   
      
   For parents, the allegations are both shocking and infuriating.   
      
   "We're mad and we're concerned, because we're like what if something   
   happened to our kids because I have multiple kids that go here," said   
   parent Taufau Lauem of Rialto.   
      
   Earlier this month, investigators with the San Bernardino County   
   Sheriff's Department were tipped off by an internet service provider   
   about Popper's online activity after he allegedly downloaded child   
   sexual assault materials.   
      
   According to District Attorney Jason Anderson, detectives acted quickly   
   because of the potential danger to children.   
      
   In a statement, Anderson said:   
      
   "San Bernardino County Sheriff's Internet Crimes Detectives acted   
   swiftly due to the potential harm to children. Their investigative   
   efforts revealed that the alleged crimes went beyond possession and   
   involved physical child sexual assault."   
      
   Authorities say at least four children under the age of 14 have been   
   identified as victims, and investigators believe there could be more.   
      
   For some parents, the allegations strike at the heart of their fears   
   about trust and safety in schools.   
      
   "Just the decay of our society. It's sad, it's really sad," said Lena, a   
   Rialto resident who homeschools her son. "Anybody that would hurt   
   children, it just makes me want to cry, honestly, it makes me sick."   
      
   Lena said she decided to homeschool her son in part to feel safer about   
   his education.   
      
   "I know it's tough to homeschool. There's a lot of pressure, but it   
   makes me feel like, who would love him more than me?" she said.   
      
   In a statement to Eyewitness News, the Rialto Unified School District   
   said Popper was placed on immediate administrative leave after law   
   enforcement notified the district. Officials said they also accepted his   
   resignation shortly after.   
      
   "The District is deeply disturbed by these serious allegations and will   
   always continue to ensure the safety of students as its main priority,"   
   said RUSD spokesperson, Syeda Jafri.   
      
   Popper was arrested at his home on Wednesday and initially posted bail,   
   but was re-arrested the following day on a no-bail warrant, according to   
   investigators. He is due in court for his arraignment on November 3rd.   
      
   https://abc7.com/post/rialto-teacher-arrested-charges-sexually-assaulting   
   -children-under-14-years-old/18096584/   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)