A teacher in San Angelo Independent School District is the latest Texas educator to be accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student.
A school resource officer is also under investigation in connection with the case and has been placed on administrative leave, according to the San Angelo Police Department.
Abraham Gonzales, 24, was arrested Wednesday and charged with improper relationship between educator and student, a second-degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison.
The offense includes engaging in sexual contact or sexually explicit communications with a student.
Gonzales is a teacher at Lake View High School. State records show he does not have a Texas teaching certificate.
San Angelo ISD is among hundreds of Texas school districts that have opted to become a “District of Innovation” and exempt themselves from state laws requiring schools to hire certified teachers.
Police Chief Travis Griffith said during a press conference Wednesday morning that a “non-involved third party” made a report on March 13 of an incident that occurred at the school involving Gonzales.
He said the department’s Crimes Against Children Unit investigated the incident, “which involved a perceived improper relationship between a student and staff.” Police then issued a warrant for the teacher’s arrest.
Gonzales turned himself in to the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office on March 19.
He is currently being held in the Tom Green County Jail. No bond amount has yet been set.
Travis said that during the investigation into Gonzales, it was also alleged that a school resource officer who works for the SAPD had engaged in “inappropriate communications” with the same victim.
“That prompted an internal investigation with our internal affairs division as well as the continued criminal investigation,” said Griffith.
He said the officer was “immediately placed on administrative leave” while the investigation proceeds but is not being named, as no criminal wrongdoing has yet been established.
“For the sake of transparency, the San Angelo Police Department shared all information received during the criminal investigation with the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office, who will be reviewing the incident to see if there was any criminal wrongdoing,” Travis added in a press statement.
Griffith said his department is also in contact with the district attorney “to make sure we’re showing transparency.”
“We do hold our officers to a high standard,” he said. “If there is any wrongdoing, I guarantee we will hold that officer to account.”
I want to be clear that, first and foremost, what’s important is our kids. We will keep children safe, and we will not hide things or sweep anything under the rug in this administration. The school district feels exactly the same way.
San Angelo ISD is on spring break this week and has not yet responded to a request for comment.
In just the past few years, hundreds of Texas teachers have been accused of sex crimes involving students and other children.
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