Cal Poly instructor arrested on suspicion of contacting a minor for sex

A Cal Poly instructor was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of multiple sexual exploitation charges involving a minor.

San Luis Obispo sheriff’s detectives arrested 38-year-old Kevin Coulombe, who works as an instructional support technician for the physics department at Cal Poly, as part of an ongoing investigation into the sexual exploitation of children.

Coulombe’s charges include contacting a minor with the intent to have sex and arranging a meeting with a minor for sexual purposes, according to a news release.

Search warrants were served at Coulombe’s residence, his vehicle and at Cal Poly, the release said.

Before working at Cal Poly, Coulombe was previously employed as a teacher at both San Luis Obispo High School and Menlo-Atherton High School in Atherton, California.

Anyone with additional information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Detective Division at 805-781-4500, according to the release.

This story was originally published February 20, 2026 at 5:51 PM.