RIALTO, Calif. (KABC) -- On a night meant for costumes and candy, the Rialto community is haunted by something far darker, a teacher accused of preying on the children he was trusted to protect.

Steve Paul Popper, 47, a special education teacher at Bemis Elementary School, is behind bars facing eight felony charges, including forcible lewd acts with children under 14.

For parents, the allegations are both shocking and infuriating.

"We're mad and we're concerned, because we're like what if something happened to our kids because I have multiple kids that go here," said parent Taufau Lauem of Rialto.

Earlier this month, investigators with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department were tipped off by an internet service provider about Popper's online activity after he allegedly downlo

See Full Page