PSJA North teacher accused of sex with student
Comments 24
June 13, 2011 6:27 PM
Naxiely Lopez
The Monitor
PHARR — A suspended English language arts teacher at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo North High School was arrested after allegedly having sexual intercourse with a student.
Laura Lorena Lozano, 34, was released on a $5,000 bond from the Hidalgo County Jail on Saturday after being charged Friday in connection with having an improper relationship with a student.
A Pharr police investigator was called to the school, 500 E. Nolana Ave., by Principal Narciso Garcia on May 13, according to a probable cause affidavit. Garcia told police a student made an outcry to him involving a campus teacher.
The student, whose identity and age were withheld by authorities, told Garcia he had sexual intercourse with Lozano at her home in December, the document stated.
The Pharr investigator then spoke with the victim, who relayed the same account. The student told police Lozano had called him during a night in December and had asked him to escort her to her home in the 100 block of Sycamore Ave. in McAllen, records showed. Lozano had apparently been drinking at Poncho’s Restaurant in Pharr, the investigator noted in his report.
Lozano invited the student into her home and they both went into her bedroom, where Lozano took her clothes off, kissed him and then engaged in sexual intercourse with the student, the affidavit stated.
Police subpoenaed phone records for both Lozano and the student. There were “numerous pages” revealing both had been in contact from November to May, police said.
After the principal was informed of the allegation May 12, “the teacher was promptly suspended,” a PSJA schools spokeswoman said in a statement early Monday evening.
“The teacher remains on suspension,” Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez said. “Further action will be taken in accordance with board policy and state law.”
The district and Pharr police “are cooperating mutually on this investigation,” Vazquez-Hernandez said. “The school district cannot release details concerning personnel or confidential student matters.”
A spokeswoman for the Texas Education Agency, which oversees teacher certification in the state, said Lozano’s file had not yet been flagged. It usually takes a while before the agency is notified, she said.
A flag on Lozano’s teaching certificate would let others know she is under review, the spokeswoman said, adding that the outcome of the criminal investigation would precede any action taken by the state.
Comments 24
June 13, 2011 6:27 PM
Naxiely Lopez
The Monitor
PHARR — A suspended English language arts teacher at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo North High School was arrested after allegedly having sexual intercourse with a student.
Laura Lorena Lozano, 34, was released on a $5,000 bond from the Hidalgo County Jail on Saturday after being charged Friday in connection with having an improper relationship with a student.
A Pharr police investigator was called to the school, 500 E. Nolana Ave., by Principal Narciso Garcia on May 13, according to a probable cause affidavit. Garcia told police a student made an outcry to him involving a campus teacher.
The student, whose identity and age were withheld by authorities, told Garcia he had sexual intercourse with Lozano at her home in December, the document stated.
The Pharr investigator then spoke with the victim, who relayed the same account. The student told police Lozano had called him during a night in December and had asked him to escort her to her home in the 100 block of Sycamore Ave. in McAllen, records showed. Lozano had apparently been drinking at Poncho’s Restaurant in Pharr, the investigator noted in his report.
Lozano invited the student into her home and they both went into her bedroom, where Lozano took her clothes off, kissed him and then engaged in sexual intercourse with the student, the affidavit stated.
Police subpoenaed phone records for both Lozano and the student. There were “numerous pages” revealing both had been in contact from November to May, police said.
After the principal was informed of the allegation May 12, “the teacher was promptly suspended,” a PSJA schools spokeswoman said in a statement early Monday evening.
“The teacher remains on suspension,” Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez said. “Further action will be taken in accordance with board policy and state law.”
The district and Pharr police “are cooperating mutually on this investigation,” Vazquez-Hernandez said. “The school district cannot release details concerning personnel or confidential student matters.”
A spokeswoman for the Texas Education Agency, which oversees teacher certification in the state, said Lozano’s file had not yet been flagged. It usually takes a while before the agency is notified, she said.
A flag on Lozano’s teaching certificate would let others know she is under review, the spokeswoman said, adding that the outcome of the criminal investigation would precede any action taken by the state.
