Crime & Safety

Perris Teacher Accused of Photographing Young Girls' Chests, Buttocks

A search warrant was served at Eric Samuel's home during which investigators allegedly found child pornography.

A science teacher at Lakeside Middle School has been arrested on suspicion of taking inappropriate photos of female students, according to police.

Eric Michael Samuel, 37, was arrested at his residence in the 17200 block of Andalusion Court Tuesday morning, according to jail records. The records show he is being held  at Southwest Detention Center in French Valley in lieu of $5,000 bail; he's accused by police of sending obscene material and annoying/molesting children. 

The investigation began May 30 when investigators from the Perris Police Department were contacted by school administrators at Lakeside Middle School in Perris.

"Investigators learned that a middle school science teacher had taken several inappropriate pictures of some female students," a news release from the Perris Police Department read. "The investigation revealed the teacher had taken digital photos of his students without their knowledge, which focused on their chest and buttocks."

A search warrant was served at the teacher’s home during which investigators recovered computers, weapons and cellphones, police allege.

"Computer analysis of the teacher’s computers revealed several videos and pictures containing child pornography," the news release continued.

Samuel is due in court Thursday, according to jail records.

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