A suspended Sanger Independent School District police officer is facing four felony sex crime charges involving a student.
Israel Demello, 26, was arrested Wednesday and charged with sexual assault of a child, sexual performance by a child, indecency with a child by sexual contact, and improper relationship between educator and student.
All are second-degree felonies punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison.
The Sanger Police Department initiated an investigation last November after receiving allegations that an officer had an inappropriate relationship with a student at Sanger ISD.
“The department immediately notified Sanger ISD, which placed Demello on administrative leave the next morning,” police stated Wednesday.
“A criminal investigation was conducted by the Sanger Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, with the assistance of digital forensic investigators from the Denton County Sheriff’s Office and full cooperation from Sanger ISD.”
Sanger ISD Superintendent Tommy Hunter notified parents Wednesday about the arrest.
Hunter did not identify Demello or the charges against him but stated the officer is “no longer employed by Sanger ISD.”
“Please be assured that the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority,” added Hunter. “The district will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement and take all appropriate actions in accordance with district policy and the law.”
Sanger police officers made the arrest. Demello was booked into the Denton County Jail on January 14. Total bond is set at $225,000.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Sanger Police Department at 940-458-7444.
Sanger ISD established its own police department in 2022. Demello was assigned as the officer for Chisholm Trail Elementary in 2024.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Demello is also a public speaker, entrepreneur, and author who previously worked for youth arts organizations.
He is among a growing number of Texas school employees accused of sex crimes against students and other children. Thousands have been reported to the Texas Education Agency for sexual misconduct.
