Northern California school principal accused of criminal charges involving a minor
SOMERSET – A Pollock Pines man who worked as a school principal in El Dorado County has been arrested on cybercrime charges.
According to the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office, Boyd Holler, 37, the principal of Pioneer Elementary in Somerset, has been arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of sending harmful matter to a minor and contacting a minor to engage in lewd behavior.
The arrest of a familiar face rocked the rural community.
"That is sick," said Steven Bartholomew, a resident.
When Nick Beattie, a grandparent, read about the allegations, he thought about picking up his grandson.
"It's very scary," Beattie said. "So many things these days — these institutions, these schools, these churches — they used to be safe and now it's hard to grasp."
Several parents say they only learned of the investigation and arrest on social media.
"We get notifications that the buses are running late, but we couldn't get a notification that our principal had been arrested for something that was very foul?" said Jennie Curtis, a parent.
Families told CBS13 that the school district later notified them of the arrest.
In a letter sent to parents, Superintendent Patrick Paturel wrote:
"Today has been overshadowed by the shocking news of the arrest of our principal of Pioneer Elementary, Boyd Holler. I want to acknowledge that our parents' trust in our work, our employees and our commitment to student safety and well-being is a profound privilege."
Paturel explained school officials only learned of the arrest following the announcement by the district attorney's office.
"Upon learning of the arrest, we immediately placed the employee on leave," he wrote. "We continue to partner with the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office to review our interagency communication, and I want to stress that we are grateful for a collaborative working relationship."
For families who may have questions, Pioneer Union School District set up a dedicated phone line (530) 291-7815.
The El Dorado County District Attorney's Office says it is in the process of filing charges.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office.