DATE/TIME: Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at approximately 1:00 pm
INCIDENT: PC 288(b)(1) – Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a Child Under 14 with Force/Duress, PC 288(a) Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a Child Under 14, and PC 311.11(c)(1) Possession of Child Pornography
LOCATION: City of Colton
VICTIMS: Confidential Juvenile 1
Confidential Juvenile 2
Confidential Juvenile 3
Confidential Juvenile 4
SUSPECT: Steve Paul Perry Popper, Age 47, Resident of Colton
SUMMARY:
On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Specialized Investigations Division - Crimes Against Children Detail investigated a cybertip report of child sexual abuse material downloads that originated in the county area of Colton. Detectives identified Bemis Elementary School teacher Steve Popper as the suspect. During the investigation, detectives discovered evidence of child sexual abuse with multiple victims.
On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Popper was arrested and booked into the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino for violation of PC 288(b)(1) – Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a Child Under 14 with Force/Duress, PC 288(a) Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a child Under 14, and PC 311.11(c)(1) Possession of Child Pornography in lieu of $500,000 bail.
Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are releasing Popper’s booking photograph. Anyone with information regarding this incident or who has been victimized by Popper is encouraged to contact Detective Jason Desario of the Specialized Investigations Division, Crimes Against Children Detail at (909) 890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Detective Jason Desario
Station: Specialized Investigations Division – Crimes Against Children Detail
Phone No. (909) 890-4904
Case No. 602500095
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
