SARATOGA (KRON) — Santa Clara County Sheriff’s officers have arrested a Walden West Science Camp employee after discovering his possession of several hundred images and videos of child pornography.
Police issued a search warrant for 27-year-old Edgar Covarrubias who has been an employee of the Walden West Science Camp since 2013. The sheriff’s office detectives along with the San Jose Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began investigating Covarrubias after receiving a tip from the FBI.
Covarrubias was found to be downloading child pornography after police found hundreds of images and videos on his phone and personal computer.
According to the camp’s website, “Walden West has provided a respected week-long residential environmental science education experience to Santa Clara County’s 5th and 6th grade students.”
The camp provides outdoor experiences through backpacking and environmental education to over 2,000 children aged 5 to 18 each summer.
In a statement from the Santa Clara County Office of Education, they state, “Edgar Covarrubias worked at the Walden West facility in Cupertino. Covarrubias, who was first employed by the SCCOE in August 2013, has been removed from his position as substitute recreation assistant and evening facilities monitor. The SCCOE is cooperating fully with law enforcement, which initiated the investigation.”
“I want to reassure the community that the safety and security of our students and staff is ourhighest priority,” said Jon R. Gundry, County Superintendent of Schools. “Such allegations aresimply intolerable and we will thoroughly review all aspects of this case to ensure we continueto provide a safe learning environment for all students.”