Rialto Special Education Teacher, Steve Popper, Arrested on Child Sex Abuse Charges

According to multiple reports, Rialto special education teacher Steve Paul Perry Popper was arrested last week on suspicion of forcibly sexually abusing multiple children under 14 years old. Popper had been a special education teacher at Bemis Elementary School in Rialto, CA, part of the Rialto Unified School District, until he was placed on administrative leave and then resigned in connection with the investigation and arrest.

Though public reports don’t yet appear to identify Popper as a special education teacher, we have confirmed the Bemis Elementary School Teacher Directory lists him as an “SDC teacher” at the time we write this. According to a separate document from the Rialto Unified School District, SDC stands for Special Day Class and is a type of special education instruction for “communicatively handicapped students based on academic, social and communication need which cannot be met in the regular classroom or other special education settings.”

Further, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing confirms that Popper holds an Education Specialist Instruction Credential, which authorizes him to teach special needs students, not regular needs students. He also holds a specialized autism-related credential that authorizes him to assess, provide instruction, and deliver education-related services to students with autism. Popper has been credentialed as such and authorized to teach in California since June 2014. Further, “Steve Popper” from Bemis Elementary appears in this East Valley Special Education Program Directory from 2021/2022. 

In the lead-up to his arrest, investigators discovered evidence that Popper had been engaged in child sexual abuse involving at least four minors and was also in possession of child pornography. They suspect Popper may have abused other children as well. It is unclear at this time whether the known and suspected victims are Popper’s students, other special needs students, or other students from the district

The San Bernardino County District Attorney has filed the following charges so far:

• Three Counts – PC 288(b)(1) – Forcible lewd act on a child under 14
• Three Counts – PC 288(a) – Lewd acts on a child under 14
• One Count – PC 288.2(a)(2) – Distributing or showing pornography to a minor
• One Count – PC 311.11(a) – Possession of over 600 images of child sexual assault materials

Popper, reportedly 47 years old and a resident of Colton, CA, was originally arrested Wednesday, October 29, 2025 and released after posting bail. He was then rearrested on October 30, 2025 and is being held without bail. He is due to be arraigned on Monday, November 3, 2025, at the San Bernardino Justice Center.

Anyone with information about Popper or other potential victims is being asked to contact Det. Jason Desario of the Specialized Investigations Division of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department at (909) 890-4904.

Note: Popper appears to have worked previously at Casey Elementary School, also in the Rialto Unified School District. The name “Steve Popper” from Casey Elementary appears in connection with a $250 grant for the 2016/2017 school year in these June 17, 2017 Minutes from the Rialto Unified School District Board of Education. It appears, though has not been confirmed, that this is the same Steve Popper who was just arrested and charged.

If you or anyone you know is looking to pursue civil justice for abuse of minors by Popper, or by any other California educator, we may be able help. Please contact us.

Further reading and resources:

1) Original Criminal Complaint filed against Popper [PDF link]
2) San Bernardino County District Attorney Press Release [Website]
3) Los Angeles Times report on Popper’s arrest [Website]
4) KTLA report on Popper’s arrest [Website]
5) ABC 7 report on Popper’s arrest [Website]
6) East Valley Special Education Program Directory 2021/2022 [PDF Link]
7) June 17, 2017 Rialto School Board Meeting Minutes [PDF Link]
8) Rialto Unified School District Document on SDC Special Education Teacher [PDF link]
9) Popper’s teaching certifications from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialling [Image]
10) Bemis Elementary School Directory Listing for Popper [Image]