HOUSTON – A former teacher accused of sexually abusing several children, including at least one of his former second-grade students, appeared before a judge Monday morning.
Manuel Ponce, 45, who taught at Houston Independent School District’s Sutton Elementary School, was arrested on Friday. He was charged with four felonies and one misdemeanor, all related to alleged sexual abuse of children, and his collective bond was set at $205,000.
There are a total of eight victims who were possibly touched by Ponce, according to investigators with the Houston Police Department. All of the alleged abuse reportedly happened during the 2021-2022 school year.
According to prosecutors, one of the victims reported being touched three to five times a month for the entire school year. Another child said she was touched at least twice - once on her birthday and another time in December during a pajama day at school.
Two teachers, who didn’t see any of the alleged abuse, were suspicious of Ponce because he had his students “in the hallway unattended while he’s in the classroom.” Other teachers didn’t see touching but saw kids in the hallway alone, prosecutors said.
HISD reported that Ponce resigned from the district in July of 2022.
Ponce bonded out Sunday and had to report to court the next morning.
Wearing a face mask and hat, he only spoke three times, mostly saying “yes sir” to the judge.
Ponce was required to turn in his passport unless he violates his bond conditions. Other than that, he is not scheduled to reappear in court until the day of his trial.
