Petaluma teacher arrested in Web sex case

A Casa Grande High history and economics teacher is facing felony charges that he used the Internet to try to seduce a teenage girl.

Scott Eugene Dietlin, 34, a teacher in Petaluma schools for nine years, was arraigned Monday on four felony counts in a San Mateo County courtroom. He did not enter a plea, said Steve Wagstaff, chief deputy district attorney.

Casa Grande Principal Linda Scheele said Monday that Dietlin has been placed on administrative leave and that the school is mailing a letter to parents informing them of the situation.

Dietlin was arrested Saturday after arriving at an undisclosed location in San Mateo where he had made arrangements to meet the girl, Burlingame police said.

Instead, he was taken into custody. His arrest was prompted by two teens who told police they had created a phony teen profile on MySpace that attracted improper attention.

The two teens had set up the profile, complete with a photo of a young woman, "as a prank with some friends," said Police Sgt. Edward Nakiso.

They alerted police that they had been contacted, and a detective posed as the girl in further electronic conversations with a man later identified as Dietlin, Nakiso said.

The e-mails and text messages were sent with the intent to "to meet the minor and engage in sexual activity," according to a police department press release.

Burlingame Police detectives subsequently obtained a warrant and searched Dietlin's vehicle and his residence in Petaluma. Police said they seized a computer and cell phone that investigators believe were used in the electronic communication with the teens and the detective.

Dietlin was arrested on suspicion of sending harmful matter electronically with the intent to seduce a minor. Three additional counts include attempting to contact a minor, arranging a meeting with a minor and traveling to meet the minor, all three with the intent of committing a sexual offense.

Dietlin remained Monday in the San Mateo County Jail. Judge Kathleen McKenna raised Dietlin's bail from $570,000 to $700,000, Wagstaff said.

The teacher will return to court Dec. 9 to enter a plea and to have a judge set a date for a preliminary hearing.

Principal Scheele said the district brought in a substitute teacher who is credentialed in economics and history to teach Dietlin's classes.

Petaluma City Schools Superintendent Greta Viguie emphasized that no Petaluma students were involved in the police investigation against Dietlin.

Counselors were available Monday to talk with Casa Grande students about any matter related to Dietlin or his arrest, Viguie said.

You can reach Staff Writer Robert Digitale at 521-5285 or robert.digitale@pressdemocrat.com.