A teacher's aide from Excelsior Middle School in Byron has been arrested following charges related to child sexual abuse material. Dominic Vannucci, 25, of Discovery Bay, was taken into custody as part of an operation by the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, which acted upon information regarding the possession of illicit materials.
According to a social media post from the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office, the ICAC task force tracked down Vannucci after obtaining a search warrant for his home on the 2200 block of Breaker Court. Child pornography was found on electronic devices at his residence in Discovery Bay, among other items. The search and subsequent seizure took place yesterday.
The Contra Costa District Attorney's Office has since filed 20 counts against the suspect, including charges for possession of child pornography and annoying or molesting a child. Vannucci is currently held at the Martinez Detention Facility, with bail set at $800,000.
School officials at Excelsior Middle School have been notified, and the Sheriff's detectives are coordinating with the school's administration as part of their investigation. The public has been urged to contribute any relevant information or to report if they have had any concerning contact with Vannucci. Tips can be shared by calling the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through email at [email protected] and leaving an anonymous voice message at 866-846-3592.
The ICAC alliance in Contra Costa County includes multiple local and federal agencies, such as Brentwood PD, Concord PD, Moraga PD, Oakley PD, Pleasant Hill PD, Walnut Creek PD, Contra Costa Probation Department, U.S. Secret Service, and Homeland Security Investigations.
