UPDATED May 16.
A criminal justice teacher and girls’ basketball coach in Brownsville Independent School District is under arrest for an alleged sexual relationship with a student, and school officials say more district educators are under investigation.
Julio Ricardo Trujillo, 43, was arrested Thursday and charged with improper relationship between educator and student, a second-degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison.
Trujillo teaches Criminal Justice System and Principles of Law at Rivera Early College High School.
He was also head coach of the girls’ varsity basketball team.
His arrest is the result of an “ongoing investigation” into an alleged improper relationship involving Trujillo and a student, according to a statement released by Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz.
Court documents revealed Friday that Trujillo is accused of having sex with a 19-year-old student on campus in April. Surveillance cameras captured the teacher and student entering a classroom around 11:30 a.m. and the girl leaving a short time later.
The victim also told investigators she and Trujillo had sex in his car on two occasions.
District officials confirmed that other employees at Rivera and Hanna Early College High Schools are also under criminal investigation. Local parents and students believe those employees are also involved in school athletics.
“Brownsville ISD is actively investigating the allegations at Rivera ECHS and Hanna ECHS,” the district posted on social media along with their official statement.
“We want to assure our community that the Brownsville ISD Police Department, along with other local agencies, are currently investigating these allegations,” the statement read.
“At this time, the only information we can provide is that one of the employees has been arrested, while the others involved are either no longer employed by the district or are currently on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigations.”
Brownsville ISD spokeswoman Isabel A. De La Cruz declined to provide requested information about Trujillo’s employment history and current status with the district, citing “an ongoing investigation involving personnel matters.”
Trujillo has worked for Brownsville ISD since at least 2020.
State records show Trujillo has been certified to teach trade and industrial education since 2014.
“As educators, we entrust teachers with the profound responsibility of guiding and protecting our students. When that trust is violated, we will act swiftly and decisively,” stated Saenz. “Our office is committed to upholding the safety and integrity of our schools and ensuring justice for all students.”
Trujillo was arrested and booked into the Cameron County Jail on May 15 and is being held on a $150,000 bond.
He is among hundreds of Texas school employees accused of sex crimes against students and other children in just the past few years.
Thousands of cases of educator sexual misconduct have been reported to the state since the Texas Education Agency began keeping organized records.
