Payam Javan: A 72-year-old teaching assistant, Kirk McFarland III, was arrested in San Jose after confessing to downloading sexually suggestive images of minors, authorities said. McFarland, who had been employed at Chandler Tripp School for just over a month, was arraigned on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, on a single felony charge of possessing child sexual abuse material.

The investigation began on Monday, March 3, 2025, when Santa Clara County Sheriff’s deputies were called to Chandler Tripp School in unincorporated San Jose. School staff had discovered a USB flash drive owned by McFarland that contained inappropriate images. During questioning, McFarland admitted to authorities that he had accessed and downloaded the illicit content from the internet. He emphasized, however, that he had not taken any inappropriate photographs of students.

The Santa Clara County Office of Education has notified parents of the incident via an official letter. The suspect’s arrest has raised concerns, given his role as a longtime teaching assistant, though his tenure at Chandler Tripp was brief.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the case and are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward. The public is encouraged to contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office at 408-808-4500 or submit anonymous tips to the Investigative Services line at 408-808-4431.