A teacher in Donna Independent School District has been allowed to resign following his arrest for sex crimes against a student.
Javier Hernandez, 47, was arrested and charged with indecency with a child by sexual contact and improper relationship between educator and student. Both are second-degree felonies punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison.
Hernandez reportedly worked as a career and technology teacher in Donna ISD for nearly a decade.
District spokeswoman Sandra Quintanilla confirmed that Hernandez was allowed to resign but declined to provide more information about his employment history.
Donna ISD police arrested Hernandez last week. He was booked into the Hidalgo County Jail on April 17 and later released on a $40,000 bond—$20,000 for each charge.
“Immediately after we were made aware of the inappropriate conduct, we filed reports with law enforcement and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services,” according to a statement released by the district this week. “We continue to fully cooperate with all ongoing investigations.”
The district stated that Hernandez passed “rigorous background checks” before he was hired.
It’s not clear whether Hernandez holds a Texas teaching certificate, as state records show more than a dozen certificates issued in that name.
“The safety and well-being of our students continues to be our highest priority,” the district concluded—a standard statement from school officials following allegations of educators abusing students.
Hernandez 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 misconduct have been reported to the state since the Texas Education Agency began keeping organized records.
