V. James DeSimone Law Announces Representation of Families Following Arrest of Former Bemis Elementary Teacher on Suspected Child Sex Crimes

Rialto, Calif. Nov. 4, 2025 — V. James DeSimone Law announced today that the firm represents multiple families of special needs children connected to the ongoing San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department investigation involving former Bemis Elementary School teacher Steve Paul Perry Popper, 47, of Colton, California.

Some family members are available to give confidential statements.

According to the Sheriff’s Department, detectives investigated a cyber tip on Oct. 8, 2025, and subsequently arrested Mr. Popper on Oct. 29, 2025. He was booked into the Central Detention Center on suspicion of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 with force/duress, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and possession of child pornography. He’s being held on $500,000 bail.

Popper, of Colton, was a 4^th Grade teacher and authorities have said there may be additional victims.

“Our clients’ children, some of whom are non-verbal, all exhibited some troubling behavior that indicated something was wrong. They cried, became fearful and no longer wanted to go to school, became agitated or aggressive, did not want to bathe, wet the bed, among other sudden changes in their personalities,” said V. James DeSimone, the families’ attorney. “And one child even came home with bruises his parents were told were caused by Mr. Popper grabbing him.”

“These 10-year-olds are among the most vulnerable students at Bemis, and the Rialto Unified School District’s hiring, vetting and supervisory practices somehow enabled this crime,” DeSimone said. “We will be looking to hold accountable those responsible, as well as seeking systemic changes to prevent this from happening to other children in the future.”

If you have information—no matter how small it may seem—please contact:

• Detective Jason Desario, Specialized Investigations Division, Crimes Against Children Detail, (909) 890-4904
• Anonymous tips: We-Tip at (800) 782-7463 or wetip.com
• V. James DeSimone Law (310) 693-5561 or vjamesdesimonelaw@gmail.com

About V. James DeSimone Law: V. James DeSimone Law represents families seeking answers, accountability, and access to counseling and other services through the civil justice system. Our work proceeds independently of the criminal case and focuses on the needs and rights of affected children and their caregivers.