Former Alexander High School Teacher Enters Plea
Courtesy Monica Garcia,
The Office of District Attorney Isidro Alaniz reports that defendant Jose Morales, Jr. (4/19/76) pled no contest today to the charge of Improper Relationship between Educator and Student.
Morales, a former Alexander High School art teacher, was charged with the second degree felony after the parents of a sixteen year old female student discovered over one hundred pages of instant messaging exchanges between the defendant and their daughter.
The allegation was brought forth by the victim’s parents on June 1, 2009 and led to a collaborative investigation by United Independent School District police and the Laredo Police Department.
406th District Court Judge Oscar Hale, Jr. accepted the plea today and the defendant’s waiver of an indictment. In accepting responsibility for the offense, the defendant has agreed to be sentenced on January 22, 2010 at 10a.m.
District Attorney Isidro R. Alaniz stated, “This conviction comes as a direct result of steps taken by the victim’s parents to safeguard their daughter. They recognized that children often use the Internet as a communication tool and were diligent in making themselves aware of who their daughter was communicating with online. In speaking with the victim and her family, we feel that justice has been served. With this plea, Mr. Morales will not teach in any classroom again.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ramon A. Villafranca, Jr. The defendant was represented by attorney Silverio Martinez.
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