Victims of alleged sexual abuse involving Steve Popper in Rialto, CA may have legal grounds to file a lawsuit and seek compensation.
On October 30, 2025, the District Attorney of San Bernardino County filed eight felony counts against Steve Paul Popper, 47, a former special education teacher at Bemis Elementary School in Rialto, CA. The charges related to forcible lewd acts on children under the age of 14 and possession of over 600 images of child sexual assault material.
At least four children under the age of 14 have been identified as victims of Popper’s alleged abuse.
Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are asking them to come forward.
Call our experienced, compassionate, trauma-informed sexual abuse lawyers today for a FREE, CONFIDENTIAL consultation at (800) 718-4658 or contact us if you or your child was abused by Steve Popper at Bemis Elementary. We won’t charge any fee until we win your case.
Table of Contents
- Who Is Steve Popper?
- What Are the Charges Against Steve Popper?
- Who Can File a Steve Popper Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
- Who Could Be Held Liable in a Steve Popper Abuse Claim?
- What Compensation May Be Available to Victims?
- How Long Do I Have to File a Steve Popper Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
- Resources for Victims of Sexual Abuse
- Contact Our Sexual Abuse Attorneys Today
Who Is Steve Popper?
Steve Paul Popper, 47, of Colton CA, a teacher at Bemis Elementary School in Rialto, was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing multiple children. Popper worked as a special education teacher in the Rialto Unified School District.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department began investigating Popper after receiving a tip about child sexual abuse material.
Popper was placed on administrative leave and subsequently resigned from the Rialto Unified School District after the allegations were made.
Popper was arrested at his home and initially posted bail, but was re-arrested the following day on a no-bail warrant. He was arraigned on November 3, 2025 at San Bernardino Justice Center.
Parents in the Rialto community expressed shock and concern over the allegations against Popper.
What Are the Charges Against Steve Popper?
Popper faces eight felony charges, including forcible lewd acts with children under 14 and possession of child pornography.
The charges that Popper is facing include:
- Lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14
- Lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 using force or duress
- Possession of child pornography
- Showing or distributing pornography to a minor
Who Can File a Steve Popper Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
You may be eligible to file a lawsuit if you or your child is a survivor of sexual abuse or inappropriate conduct by Steve Popper.
You do not need to have reported the abuse at the time it occurred to qualify to file a lawsuit.
Claims may be filed by parents or guardians on behalf of minor victims.
Students who had contact with Popper should speak with an attorney, even if they are unsure whether what happened qualifies as abuse.
California law provides extended timeframes for childhood sexual abuse claims such as Barry Brock lawsuits. Victims whose abuse occurred years ago may still be eligible to file a lawsuit.
Who Could Be Held Liable in a Steve Popper Abuse Claim?
Victims of teacher sexual abuse can sue both the individual teacher and the school district if the school failed to protect children.
Steve Popper would be the primary defendant in any lawsuit as the alleged abuser.
The Rialto Unified School District could also face civil liability for negligent hiring, supervision and retention.
Claims against the district could be strengthened if it comes out that the district received prior complaints or red flags about Popper and failed to act on them.
Schools have a legal duty, which may have been breached here, to protect students from staff misconduct.
Claims may be pursued under California Education Code provisions which govern school district liability for the misconduct of employees.
What Compensation May Be Available to Victims?
Victims can recover economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages in lawsuits against school districts for teacher sexual abuse.
Civil lawsuits are separate from criminal cases and can proceed regardless of the outcomes of criminal prosecutions.
The value of each case will vary depending on abuse severity, number of incidents, and documentation available.
Our firm can help you recover compensation for:
Pain and Suffering
Sexual abuse may involve physical pain. Unfortunately, though, the emotional and psychological suffering involved can dwarf the physical pain.
Our law firm helps survivors recover compensation for:
- Physical pain
- Lost quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sleeping problems
- Dealing with abuse via substance abuse
- Traumatic memories
Trauma is dealt with in a different manner by every survivor. Our firm will work alongside you, mental health professionals and experts in order to identify every form of pain and suffering that we can recover financial compensation for.
Psychological Treatment
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one possible consequence of sexual abuse, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Our law firm helps abuse survivors recover compensation for the treatment of PTSD and other psychological symptoms, including compensation for counseling as well as medications.
Medical Expenses
You or your child may have needed emergency medical care because of abuse. Serious injuries which occurred during the abuse may still be getting treated.
Our law firm will ensure you are compensated for each and every medical cost that stems from the abuse you survived, including all past as well as future medical expenses.
Professional Harm
Abuse survivors are affected emotionally and psychologically by their abuse. This may lead to future problems in the workplace.
Survivors may:
- Lose out on salary
- Lose out on wages
- Lose out on jobs
- Lose out on earning power
- Miss retirement contributions
- Miss bonuses
Our firm will work to recover compensation for all professional losses.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may be available in a lawsuit. These damages would be intended to punish Popper for his abuse and may be intended to punish Rialto Unified School District for possibly ignoring red flags or covering up Popper’s abuse.
These punitive damages would not only maximize your compensation but also prevent future abuse by sending a strong message that sexual abuse and the enabling of said abuse will not be tolerated by society.
How Long Do I Have to File a Steve Popper Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
California’s AB 218 extends the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases, allowing victims to file lawsuits until age 40 or within 5 years of discovering psychological injury caused by the abuse. This applies to abuse which occurred before January 1, 2024.
There is no time limit to file a lawsuit for survivors of child sexual abuse which occurred on or after January 1, 2024.
You may still qualify to file a claim even if the abuse occurred years ago. Contact a lawyer today to find out. It is always advisable to act sooner to preserve evidence and witness testimony.
Resources for Victims of Sexual Abuse
If you or your child has experienced sexual abuse, these resources can provide confidential support:
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 (RAINN), available 24/7 for confidential support
- Darkness to Light: www.d2l.org, provides resources for parents and children dealing with child sexual abuse
- San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department tip line for this case: Detective Jason Desario at (909) 890-4904
- Anonymous tips can also be submitted via the We-Tip hotline at 1-800-782-7463 or wetip.com
Contact Our Sexual Abuse Attorneys Today
Call our trauma-informed, compassionate, experienced attorneys today for a FREE, CONFIDENTIAL consultation at (800) 718-4658 or contact us if you or your child was abused by Steve Popper at Bemis Elementary.
Those who haven’t yet reported the abuse may still qualify to file a lawsuit.
Consultations are completely confidential and there is no obligation to proceed.
The legal system can be intimidating and confusing. An experienced lawyer at our firm can make the legal process easier for you to handle.
Our lawyers can help you report abuse to authorities, allowing criminal charges to be filed, and we can also help you in suing Popper and possibly the Rialto school district.
We are here to help you feel secure, safe and confident through the legal process.
Call us today at (800) 718-4658 for a FREE, CONFIDENTIAL consultation.
Why Survivors Trust Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers
- We have been helping survivors of sexual abuse by trusted authority figures since 1990.
- Our team handles all communication and legal filings so families can focus on healing.
- We will not charge you any fee until we win your case.
Contact us today for a FREE, CONFIDENTIAL consultation.
