On April 29, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department assisted the Bakersfield Police Department and the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children (SDICAC) Task Force in the arrest of a Valley Center man accused of sex crimes against minors.

37-year-old Kyle Puette was arrested in Valley Center on charges of sending harmful matter to seduce minors and communicating with minors to commit a sexual offense.  He is being transported back to Kern County.

The charges are related to criminal offenses which happened in the City of Bakersfield.  Puette was formerly employed as a fifth grade teacher at Louise Sandrini Elementary School from 2013 to 2017.  Two juvenile teenage victims have been identified at this time.  Puette is alleged to have contacted juveniles via social media and engaged in graphic and inappropriate conversations via chat and video messaging with former students.  

The Bakersfield Police Department is working closely with the Panama-Buena Vista School District, as well as authorities in San Diego County.  This investigation is being conducted in association with the Bakersfield Police Department’s membership in the Central Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Puette is currently employed as a third and fifth grade teacher at Valley Center Elementary School.  At this time, there are no known victims in San Diego County. 

If you believe you are a victim or have any information, call the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111, the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children (SDICAC) Task Force at (858) 715-7100 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

Media Contact: Bakersfield Police Sergeant Robert Pair
Rpair@bakersfieldpd.us
Bakersfield Police Department (661) 326-3803