SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A man who taught English to middle schoolers in Sacramento for decades was arrested Monday evening and accused of child sex abuse material possession. Deputies said there may be unreported victims.
Mark Stephen Sirard, 52, was arrested in a case which stemmed from information obtained by the United Kingdom and other authorities overseas, according to a news release from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office and Homeland Security are conducting a collaborative investigation, deputies said.
Sirard was released Tuesday morning from Sacramento County Main Jail after posting $50,000 bail, according to law enforcement and jail records.
He taught English to seventh and eighth graders at Leonardo da Vinci TK-8 School for approximately 25 years, according to the Sacramento City Unified School District. He is currently on administrative leave and hasn't worked at any school site since May, the district said.
“The news is deeply disturbing as our highest priority as a school district is to protect our students and staff from harm on our school sites,” the district wrote in a statement. "As we continue to cooperate with law enforcement, we remain fully committed to taking every necessary step to protect and support our students.”
Leonardo da Vinci school Principal Devon Davis called Sirard's arrest a “sobering reminder” for parents to talk with their children about inappropriate behaviors and sex abuse. She sent a fact sheet in a letter to parents Tuesday morning aiming to help them approach the conversation.
“I urge you to speak with your child to determine if they may need our support or if they have information that may help the investigation,” Davis said in her letter.
Parents and family members can share information with law enforcement at 916-874-3002.
“Due to Sirard’s long history of being in close proximity to children, especially in a position of trust, detectives are concerned there may be unreported victims,” deputies said,
Tips can also be submitted to Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357. Tips leading to additional charges are eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000, and tipsters can remain anonymous. Reporting parties can also use the “P3 TIPS” smart phone application.
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