South Bay Teaching Assistant Arrested: Child Sex Abuse Material

SAN JOSE, CA — A teaching assistant in San Jose has been arrested on suspicion of being in possession of child sex abuse material, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday.

Kirk McFarland III, 72, of San Jose, is facing one felony count of possession of child sex abuse material after allegedly downloading sexually suggestive photos involving minors, the Sheriff's Office said. He was arraigned Wednesday.

According to the Sheriff's Office, on Monday, deputies were sent to the Chandler Tripp School on Thornton Way in unincorporated San Jose after a staff member reported finding a USB flash drive allegedly belonging to McFarland which contained "inappropriate images." McFarland had only been employed there for just over a month.

McFarland allegedly admitted that he had viewed and downloaded the images of minors from the internet, but "he further clarified that he has not taken any inappropriate photos of students," said the Sheriff's Office.

A formal letter went out to all parents of children at the school from the Santa Clara County Office of Education about the case.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone who may have information helpful to this case is encouraged to contact the Sheriff's Office at (408) 808-4500 or the anonymous tip line at (408) 808-4431.

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