HOUSTON – It’s difficult learning that a teacher took advantage of your child when they are supposed to be teaching and protecting them, but it’s news that we report far too often.
Inappropriate relationships among students and teachers are unfortunately nothing new.
In fiscal year 2016, the Texas Education Agency opened 222 investigations that involved inappropriate relationships.
In 2017, the Texas Senate passed Bill 7, which states that school principals and superintendents who fail to report teachers involved in inappropriate relationships with students could face criminal charges. The passing of the bill came in response to an uptick in cases in Texas where elementary, middle and high school teachers were found in romantic and sexual relationships with their students
Last year, KPRC 2 reported on several cases throughout several districts where teachers were charged with sex crimes involving minors.
Here are some of the most notable cases we covered last year:
A Spring ISD third-grade teacher was accused of molesting two children multiple times.
Danilo Martinez, who worked at Eickenroht Elementary back in 2019, was also accused of hugging two students, rubbing against them and touching them inappropriately.
In February 2023, Martinez accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to seven years probation.
In February 2023, 45-year-old Manuel Ponce, who taught at HISD’s Sutton Elementary School, was accused of sexually abusing multiple children.
Eight victims reportedly came forward and said they had been touched by Ponce during the 2021-2022 school year, authorities said.
Prosecutors said one of the students reported being touched at least 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.
In October 2023, a 46-year-old Lasara ISD coach was arrested in July for two counts of online solicitation of a minor.
According to authorities, Miguel Angel Carlos attempted to meet up with an underage girl in Houston, almost five hours away from his home, and planned on booking a hotel for the two of them.
Carlos worked at Lasara ISD as a basketball coach, baseball coach and computer technician.
The married father of two started messaging an undercover officer posing as a 15-year-old girl in March, and told her he wanted to participate in “adult fun.”
Investigators said Carlos was scheduled to be in Houston, attending the Texas High School Coaches Association conference at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Court documents said Carlos wanted the 15-year-old to stay at his hotel with him during the conference and told her he would bring alcoholic beverages, edible panties, a blindfold, and handcuffs.
In November 2023, we learned that 61-year-old Ronald Elgin, a former Madison High School teacher and driver instructor, was charged with multiple sex crimes involving teens.
Houston Police Department Detective Curtis King said Elgin used his position as a driving school instructor to access the victims.
According to court documents, the charges relate to three victims, who attended the driving school in the 12000 block of Almeda Road. The assaults happened in 2013, 2015, and 2023.
One of the victims said she was 16 years old when Eglin allegedly encouraged her to engage in explicit activity on video chat, and he would send her inappropriate videos.
Warnings signs for parents
- Changed behavior - staying late at school or not wanting to go to school at all
- Social media - parents should monitor their children’s social media to make sure they aren’t communicating with teachers, coaches, etc inappropriately.
- Spending unauthorized alone time with teachers