A band teacher has been charged with multiple child sex crimes involving a student in the Connally Independent School District.
David Martinez, 23, was charged with improper relationship between educator and student and possession of child pornography, both second-degree felonies, and sexual performance by a child, a third-degree felony.
Martinez was an assistant band director at Connally High School when the allegations arose in April. He was placed on leave April 23 while the Lacy Lakeview Police Department investigated.
The teacher reportedly cooperated with police and initially granted investigators access to his electronic devices.
Police later obtained a search warrant and discovered evidence of a months-long “relationship” with a student, as well as child sexual abuse material.
Martinez was booked into the McLennan County Jail on May 11. Bond is set at $30,000—$10,000 for each charge.
A spokesperson for Connally ISD said Martinez would be terminated as soon as the board could approve the action. Martinez is no longer listed in the Connally High School staff directory.
“Student safety remains our top priority, and we remain committed to doing all that we can to provide our students with a safe and welcoming learning environment,” Connally ISD wrote in a statement.
Martinez is among hundreds of Texas school employees accused of sex crimes against students and other children in just the past few years, and thousands have been reported to the Texas Education Agency for sexual misconduct.
