In a case that has sparked shock and outrage, a faculty member at Diablo Valley College (DVC) now faces a nine-count felony complaint. The allegations include human trafficking, pandering, and pimping, all deeply disturbing offenses that the community struggles to comprehend.
39-year-old Kyle Lee Whitmore of Crockett, DVC's Communication Studies instructor and track coach, was arrested on September 7, following an investigation by campus police and the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office. According to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office, Whitmore now faces a litany of charges, including human trafficking, pandering, pimping, and others related to forced sexual acts.
The case unfolded after Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 bravely stepped forward, alleging that they had been trafficked by Whitmore to engage in prostitution. Whitmore now also stands accused of one count of pimping and four counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object. The information came to light when Jane Doe #1 reported her situation to authorities at Diablo Valley College.
Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton expressed her commitment to addressing human trafficking, stating that there are tools at every level, from local to national, to help combat this issue and to connect survivors with trauma-informed services. In an official statement, she said, "For example, our office has a local human trafficking hotline, we have community-based service partners like Community Violence Solutions, and there's a national toll-free help line that's available 24/7."
With Whitmore's arraignment scheduled today, members of the public are encouraged to come forward if they have any information about the case. The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office can be contacted at (925) 313-2600. The District Attorney's hotline for reporting human trafficking in Contra Costa County can be reached at (925) 957-8658, or the national helpline at 2-1-1.
