A special education teacher in the Rio Grande City Grulla Independent School District is accused of sexually assaulting an underage student.
Francisco Contreras Jr. was arrested and charged with two counts of sexual assault of a child (statutory rape) and one count of improper relationship between educator and student. Both offenses are second-degree felonies punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison.
Contreras is a special services teacher at Rio Grande City High School.
The Starr County Sheriff’s Office arrested Contreras on October 7, the same day it “took over” an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations involving the teacher and a student.
“The investigation was referred to the Starr County Sheriff’s Office in accordance with a recent ruling regarding school district police departments investigating cases involving students,” the agency stated in a press release.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an opinion on September 16 stating that under a 2025 educator misconduct reporting law, a school district’s internal police agency, such as the RGCGISD Police Department, is not an “appropriate law enforcement agency” for purposes of reporting or investigating child abuse allegations.
Contreras was booked into the Starr County Jail on Wednesday, October 7.
Rio Grande City Grulla ISD stated Wednesday that an unnamed educator had been placed on suspension due to allegations of “serious misconduct” involving a student.
Upon learning of these allegations, the District immediately placed the educator on suspension and reported the matter to the appropriate law enforcement and state authorities. The District will continue to cooperate fully with all appropriate authorities as this matter is investigated.
We understand the concern that allegations of this nature may cause our families, staff, and community. The District is committed to providing appropriate information while also protecting the privacy and rights of the student involved. Accordingly, we cannot disclose identifying information or other confidential details regarding this matter.
“The safety, well-being, and protection of our students remain our highest priorities,” added the district.
Online records show Contreras has worked for Rio Grande City Grulla ISD for more than a decade.
Contreras has held a Texas teaching certificate since 2007 and is currently certified to teach special education and physical education. His certificate includes a “Master Teacher” designation, the highest distinction awarded to “highly effective public school teachers.”
His credentials are under review by the Texas Education Agency.
In the past few years, hundreds of Texas school employees have been charged with sex crimes involving students and other children, and thousands have been reported to the TEA for sexual misconduct.
TEA data shows the agency is currently investigating more than 3,000 educator sexual misconduct complaints and opening an average of 250 new cases each month.
