A local 6th grade teacher was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of having child pornography and distributing the illegal material, according to the Bakersfield Police Department.
Police officers went to the 5600 block of Coburn Ridge Court at 6 a.m. along with investigators with Homeland Security and the U.S. Secret Service. There, they arrested Matthew Ambrose, 59, who works at Bessie Owens Elementary School, a news release stated.
BPD noted the illegal items don’t depict local children, but the investigation is ongoing.
The Bakersfield City School District told The Californian in a statement it was informed Tuesday of BPD’s investigation and arrest of Ambrose. He will not be returning to the school site, added the statement, which was provided via email by Tabatha Mills, spokeswoman for BCSD.
BCSD will cooperate fully with BPD in this investigation, which includes letting local law enforcement search his classroom, the statement said.
“BCSD is committed to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for all students, and we appreciate the work of the Bakersfield Police Department and all involved law enforcement agencies,” the statement said.
Anyone with more information about this incident is asked to call BPD at 661-327-7111.
