In the latest allegations of Texas teachers preying on students, a Laredo teacher has been arrested and a Waller coach is wanted by police after each was accused of having sex with a student, which is a felony.
United Independent School District high school teacher Jordan Herrera, 25, was arrested this week for having an “intimate relationship” with a female student that allegedly began in 2022.
According to the Laredo Morning Times, the arrest affidavit stated, “Friendly verbal communication gradually turned into sex talk, which included Herrera verbally disclosing sexual techniques he used on prior sexual encounters.”
The student reportedly said she did not want to file a criminal complaint.
The Houston Chronicle reported that Herrera had sex with the student at least three different times and also communicated with at least two other female students, buying one lunch and asking another to add him to Snapchat.
Meanwhile, police issued an arrest warrant for a Waller ISD coach accused in January of having sex with a 15-year-old freshman volleyball player.
Waller High School biology teacher and volleyball coach Joseph Anthony Mata, 28, faces felony charges of indecency with a child and improper relationship between educator and student, both felonies.
According to a report by Click2Houston, Mata is accused of having criminal sexual contact with his teenage student at the high school—in the coach’s office and a storage area—as well as in his apartment and car.
Mata reportedly denied the allegations.
Officials in both school districts say the teachers were quickly placed on leave and subsequently fired. Statements issued by the districts said they are cooperating with investigations, and they encourage anyone with information to contact law enforcement.
These two teachers are among a string of Texas educators accused of sex crimes against students within just the past several weeks.
A Boyd ISD substitute teacher was arrested this month after sending nude pictures of herself to a 15-year-old student via Snapchat.
A Bishop ISD high school teacher was arrested this month after police found “substantial evidence” on cellphones, computers, and social media accounts that she was having sex with a student. She was charged with five felonies: sexual assault of a child, indecency with a child, online solicitation of a minor, improper relationship between educator and student, and tampering with evidence.
In December and January, at least four other female teachers were accused of preying on school children.
A now-former Plano ISD high school teacher is under investigation over recent allegations that he engaged in “criminal behavior” with a student several years ago, while a Northwest ISD high school teacher who resigned in December after being accused of “inappropriate communication” with a student was arrested this month.
In January, a Palestine High School band director was arrested and charged with conducting a two-year improper relationship with a student.
Under Texas law, it is a second-degree felony for an educator to engage in sexual conduct with a student of any age.
School officials failing to report sexual misconduct allegations, which seven City View ISD administrators were charged with this month, is also a felony.
