January 9, 2006

Campbell preschool teacher arrested on pornography charges

By Julie Davis Berry
Executive Editor

Many parents’ worst fears came alive when it was revealed on December 29 that a male preschool teacher had been arrested on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography. Fortunately his student charges do not appear to be involved in his transgression.

The Campbell Child Development Center was founded in 2001 by Lisa Lange, Ellen Daniels and Sharon Hiller. The center is based on a philosophy called Developmentally Appropriate Practice, which focuses on “multi-sensory activities and building healthy communication skills through hands-on, individualized experiences.”

On Dec. 28, the Santa Clara County Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (S.A.F.E.) Task Force arrested Curtis Koji Oishi, 35, of Santa Clara, for possession and for distribution of child pornography.

A U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) investigation in Fresno, Calif., lead S.A.F.E. investigators to believe that Oishi had sent pornographic images featuring children via the Internet. Based on this information the Task Force obtained a search warrant, in conjunction with Immigration and Customs agents and served Oishi at his Santa Clara residence. A computer containing child pornography, nu-merous photographs, magazines and several VHS tapes were seized from the residence.

Oishi has been employed as a teacher by the Campbell Child Development Center, located on Fewtrell Drive in Campbell, since September of 2001. He has been working in the field of early childhood education for the past 14 years.

S.A.F.E. Invest-igator Sharron Pear-son said that Oishi was cooperating with authorities. He posted the $10,500 bail and was released from jail that evening. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 11 at the Hall of Justice. Pearson said that there doesn’t appear to be any children from the preschool involved “in any way, shape or form” but that authorities are still searching his computer.

Preschool teacher Curtis Koji Oishi, 35, of Santa Clara, was arrested Dec.28 for possession of child pornography, and distribution of child pornography.

That news comes as a relief to the dozens of parents who contacted the S.A.F.E. offices and talked with the owners of the Campbell Child De-velopment Center. “I was stunned and devastated when I heard the news,” said parent Andrea Tracy, whose two children attended the center.

Tracy immediately contacted the authorities and was assured that they believe that no children from the center were involved. “I am very confident that the children were well cared for at the center. It was a wonderful environment with a fabulous developmental program. My children flourished there. Curtis was very patient and calm with the children and very in tune with their developmental stages. And because it’s a very open environment I don’t believe that anything happened. But it’s sad to think that one person’s bad choices can affect so many people, the owners and staff at the center, as well as the parents and children.”

Anyone who has had contact with Oishi and believes that they or their children have been victimized by Oishi, are advised to contact S.A.F.E. Investigator Sharron Pearson at (408) 808-4302.

The Santa Clara County S.A.F.E. Task Force began in 1994 and is comprised of multiple police agencies. Its mission is to reduce violent sexual assault crimes in Santa Clara County through pro-active enforcement focused on predatory sex offenders. The Task Force monitors sex offenders’ registration status and takes enforcement action when necessary. They also monitor sex offenders who are on parole and probation and conduct surveillance on predatory sex offenders.