(KRON) — The Santa Clara County Office of Education released a news statement on Thursday confirming the recent arrest of a longtime teaching assistant.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office said Kirk McFarland III, 72, of San Jose, was arraigned on Wednesday, and faces one felony count of possession of child sexual abuse material.
The interim county superintendent of schools said McFarland III was taken into custody Monday on the Chandler Tripp Learning Center campus.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to Chandler Tripp School after they were alerted of a “USB flash drive belonging to McFarland containing inappropriate images.” Another SCCOE employee allegedly blew the whistle and notified officials.
The sheriff’s office said McFarland admitted to deputies that “he had viewed and downloaded sexually suggestive images of minors from the internet.” The Santa Clara County Office of Education said it is cooperating with deputies, and it does not appear that any students were involved in the case.
“The matter was brought to light by a SCCOE employee, who promptly reported their concerns,” said Dr. Charles Hinman, Interim County Superintendent of Schools. “I want to commend our staff for their vigilance and commitment to keeping our schools safe. This staff member’s actions ensured an immediate response by the SSCOE team, allowing law enforcement to open an investigation and make the arrest.”
Deputies said McFarland III had been employed at Chandler Tripp School for little over a month. Law enforcement and school district officials did not say where McFarland previously worked as a teaching assistant. School parents were notified of the arrest through a letter from the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office is handling the active and ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information tied to this case is urged to contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office at (408) 808-4500 or call the Investigative Services anonymous tip line at (408) 808-4431.
(KRON) — The Santa Clara County Office of Education released a news statement on Thursday confirming the recent arrest of a longtime teaching assistant. The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office said Kirk McFarland III, 72, of San Jose, was arraigned on Wednesday, and faces one felony count of possession of child sexual abuse material. The […]
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