Substitute worker for Modesto schools arrested for lewd behavior involving kids
A 22-year-old Modesto man has been arrested after deputies say he admitted to committing lewd acts while watching children at Creekside Middle School in Patterson.
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded Friday morning to a report of a suspicious man in a silver Toyota RAV4 near the school. Deputies contacted the man, identified as Kien Nguyen. During the investigation, he admitted to engaging in lewd behavior while observing children, exposing himself and fantasizing about sexual acts involving children, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Nguyen was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of several charges, including lewd and lascivious acts with a child, annoying or molesting a child, and indecent exposure.
The Sheriff’s Office said investigators later learned Nguyen was employed part time with Modesto City Schools as a substitute yard duty supervisor and instructional paraprofessional.
District spokesperson Linda Mumma Solorio said Nguyen had been employed at multiple school sites since February 2023, following a state Department of Justice background check. She said his employment was immediately terminated once the district learned of his arrest, and he no longer has access to school property.
“At this time, law enforcement has not identified any victims connected to Modesto City Schools,” Mumma Solorio told The Bee.
The district also sent a letter to staff and families Tuesday night, emphasizing that the alleged crimes occurred outside of Modesto and were not related to Nguyen’s employment with the district.
“The safety of our students remains our highest priority,” the district said in the message. “We are working closely with law enforcement as their investigation continues.”
Detectives are working to identify possible victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Cooper at 209-857-0132. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 866-602-7463.
