Sordid Details Emerge: Walnut Creek Teacher Arrested

WALNUT CREEK, CA — A teacher at Walnut Creek Intermediate School has been arrested by Martinez Police for alleged sex offenses against a child under 10 years old, Contra Costa county prosecutors said.

Michael Bartel is accused of oral copulation, arranging to meet a child for sex, and possession and distribution of child pornography.

A weeklong investigation led to Bartel's arrest at about 1:30 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Danville Boulevard and Camille Place in Alamo.

Bartel was booked into the county jail, where he is being held on $16 million bail.

Martinez police detectives learned Bartel was chatting online and allegedly discussed molesting children. Detectives and investigators with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force started an investigation to see if the statements were true.

Friday afternoon Walnut Creek police investigators searched Bartel's classroom and told school administrators Bartel had been arrested.

Later in the day law enforcement searched Bartel's home.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office said no Walnut Creek students are connected with the case.

Bartel, a science teacher, has been placed on administrative leave, effective today, Walnut Creek School District officials said.

Bartel has been employed by the district since 2015. He was hired after a standard background check that included fingerprinting and a criminal history review, district officials said. There have been no reports of inappropriate behavior by him toward students at Walnut Creek Intermediate School during his tenure.

Bartel is a graduate of California State University, East Bay and has been teaching since 2011.

A fully credentialed and retired teacher is currently substituting in Bartel's classroom.

The Martinez case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Darryl Holcombe, senior inspector with the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office, at (925) 957-2263.

Watch Now: Walnut Creek Teacher Arrested For Inappropriate Conduct

— Bay City News contributed to this report; Image via Renee Schiavone, Patch

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