BALCH SPRINGS, Texas — A now-former coach with the Mesquite Independent School District was arrested Wednesday on allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with a middle school student, according to the Balch Springs Police Department.
In a Wednesday release, police announced the arrest of Sergio Gonzalez, who served as a coach at A.C. New Middle School in the Mesquite school district. Gonzalez faces a charge of child grooming, a third-degree felony, police said.
According to an affidavit, on Aug. 16, three Mesquite ISD employees raised concerns about the behavior between Gonzalez and a 14-year-old student.
Documents say Mesquite school officials informed police about a potentially inappropriate relationship between Gonzalez and the middle school student. In a statement, Mesquite ISD officials said they placed Gonzalez on leave after learning about the allegation. When they placed Gonzalez on leave, officials said he resigned.
Balch Springs Police Officer Pedro Gonzalez said they were notified on Aug. 22.
“This monster violated and took advantage of his position,” Pedro Gonzalez said.
Police said after an investigation involving the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Forney Police Department, officers arrested Gonzalez at his home Wednesday. Officials say Sergio Gonzalez is in Dallas County Jail.
“We know that this was an inappropriate relationship. Kissing on the forehead, the hugging, the holding hands,” Pedro Gonzalez said.
Documents say police found school surveillance video from July of Sergio Gonzalez grabbing the victim inappropriately and holding hands walking down the hallway before entering his classroom.
“This individual not only used his authority as a teacher but also his role as a father and took advantage and manipulated the victim's parents,” Pedro Gonzalez said.
Police say Sergio Gonzalez texted the girl's parents, saying his daughter wanted to go to a late movie with the victim, and that he could bring her back home a few days later.
“He picked her up, and while they were supposed to be at the movies, they were spending the night at the school,” Pedro Gonzalez said.
Police said a forensic interview was conducted on the girl on Aug. 27. Pedro Gonzalez said she hasn’t been cooperative.
“She does not believe she is the victim. She believes she's in love with him,” he said.
Sergio Gonzalez was hired by the Mesquite ISD in 2004 and was a teacher and coach at A.C. New Middle School, according to district officials.
"Our commitment is to provide a nurturing environment where every student feels safe, respected, and empowered to pursue excellence," the school district officials said. "Anything less than that is unacceptable."