SAN JOSE – A teaching assistant at a San Jose school was arrested earlier this week on suspicion of possessing sexually suggestive images of minors, authorities said.
On Monday, sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Chandler Tripp School, located at 780 Thornton Way, after staff members reported finding a USB flash drive containing inappropriate images, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
The USB flash drive belonged to Kirk McFarland III, 72, of San Jose, authorities said.
McFarland admitted he had viewed and downloaded sexually suggestive images of minors, according to the sheriff’s office.
He was arraigned Wednesday on one felony count of possession of child sexual abuse material.
McFarland, a long-time teaching assistant, started working at Chandler Tripp School just over a month ago, authorities said. The Santa Clara County Office of Education, which oversees the site, informed parents about the situation in a letter.
The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information can contact the sheriff’s office at 408-808-4500 or the Investigative Services anonymous tip line at 408-808-4431.
Check back for updates.