PLEASANT HILL, California- A professor and former track coach at Diablo Valley College in Contra Costa County is facing multiple felony charges, including human trafficking and sexual assault, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.
Kyle Lee Whitmore, 39, of Crockett, was arrested on September 7 after allegedly trafficking two women for prostitution. The arrest came after one of the victims notified campus authorities, leading to a joint investigation with the sheriff’s office.
Whitmore, an instructor of Communications Studies at the Pleasant Hill campus, is now facing two counts of human trafficking, two counts of pandering, one count of pimping, and four counts of forcible sexual penetration by a foreign object.
During his court appearance on Tuesday, Whitmore’s defense attorney requested to postpone the arraignment until September 19, a request that was granted by the judge. He is currently being held without bail at the Contra Costa County jail in Martinez.
Diablo Valley College has placed Whitmore, a tenured communications faculty member and former coach, on administrative leave. In a statement, the college expressed gratitude to the staff for promptly reporting the situation and emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigation.
District Attorney Diana Becton highlighted the importance of combating human trafficking and connecting victims to services. She mentioned the availability of local and national hotlines to aid in these efforts.
As the investigation continues, the safety of students and staff remains the top priority for Diablo Valley College. Accusations of inappropriate behavior by employees are taken seriously, and the college has expressed that it is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all visitors to its campuses.