John Conant, 66, of Sebastopol arrested for committing sex acts with a child under 14. (Photo courtesy: Sonoma County)
SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. - An elementary school counselor was arrested for sex acts with a minor under 14 years old, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.
John Conant, 66, of Sebastopol was taken into custody in the early morning hours on Monday, officials said.
Sheriff's deputies learned one day earlier that a report of child molestation had been reported at Cinnabar Elementary School.
After an initial investigation, deputies contacted detectives with their Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Unit, who took over the investigation. Investigators said the alleged abuse happened more than once and "for some time."
Following an interview with the victim, an arrest warrant was issued for Conant. Officials said he was arrested without incident and booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility on charges of committing lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14.
His bail was set at $250,000.
The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said they believe, because of his position at the school, there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. Because of this development, officials have released Conant's booking photo.
Detectives are also looking into Conant’s employment history at other schools, as well as examining his phone and computer for additional evidence.
Conant was also a member of the Mendocino County chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA), an international nonprofit that supports children who have suffered abuse.
"That is obviously concerning to us," Valencia said. "That he’s in that type of position where he’s advocating against abuse, yet he is arrested for an alleged sex crime with a minor."
In a statement, the nonprofit said it was "deeply committed to the safety and emotional well-being of the children we serve" and reaffirmed its vetting process, which includes FBI and Department of Justice background checks along with a year of training."
The Cinnabar School District has not yet commented on the arrest.
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