A faculty member and former track coach at Diablo Valley College is accused of human trafficking, pandering, pimping, and other charges related to the use of force while engaging in sexual acts, prosecutors said on Tuesday.
Kyle Lee Whitmore, 39, of Crockett, is being held without bail at Martinez Detention Facility.
Whitmore is accused of trafficking two women, only known as Jane #1 and Jane Doe #2, for prostitution. Additionally, he is charged with one count of pimping and four counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object.
According to Tim Leong, a public information officer for Contra Costa Community College District, at least one of the alleged victims is a student.
“The district is not naming the student involved to protect her privacy,” Leong told the press.
“On Monday, September 11, 2023, the District Attorney’s Office filed a felony complaint outlining nine charges against Mr. Whitmore in connection with several offenses, some involving a student,” Leong wrote.
Prosecutors wrote, “Jane Doe #1 reported her situation to authorities at Diablo Valley College. After an investigation by campus police and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Whitmore was arrested and taken into custody.”
It’s unclear if “Jane Doe #2” is affiliated with the college.
The Diablo Valley College’s website states Whitmore is an instructor of communication studies and a former track and field coach. He taught on the college’s Pleasant Hill campus.
Whitmore was named California Community College Cross Country and Track Coaches Association Men’s Track & Field Coach of the Year in 2022.
Leong said the college’s staff members identified “a serious situation” concerning Whitmore, and worked with campus police, the sheriff, and district attorney.
“This is an ongoing investigation, and there are more facts to ascertain. We ask the community to be patient and allow processes to move forward without making assumptions or contributing to speculation. The district is devastated by the seriousness of the allegations that have been raised thus far. The safety of our students and staff is our main priority. We take seriously any accusations of inappropriate behavior by our employees,” Leong told the press.
Diablo Valley College placed Whitmore on administrative leave following his arrest on September 7.
Whitmore made his first court appearance on Tuesday and his arraignment was postponed until September 19. His family declined to talk to news reporters as they left the courthouse.
A judge granted a protective order preventing Whitmore from contacting “Jane Doe #1” and “Jane Doe #2.”
Anyone with any additional information about this case is urged to contact the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office at 925-313-2600.
District Attorney Diana Becton said, “There are tools at the local, state, and national level to help curb human trafficking and connect victims to trauma-informed services. For example, our office has a local human trafficking hotline, we have community-based service partners like Community Violence Solutions.”
To report acts of human trafficking in Contra Costa County, call the District Attorney’s hotline at 925-957-8658, or the national helpline at 2-1-1.
