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 release, police on Wednesday announced the arrest of Sergio Gonzalez, who served as a coach at a 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 the release, Mesquite school officials informed police about a potentially inappropriate relationship between Gonzalez and a middle school student.
Police said after an investigation involving the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Forney Police Department, officers arrested Gonzalez at his home Wednesday.
Police say Gonzalez is being held at the Balch Springs City jail as he awaits a transfer to the Dallas County jail.
Mesquite school district officials in a statement said they placed Gonzalez on leave after learning about the allegation. When they placed Gonzalez on leave, he resigned, officials said.
Gonzalez was hired by the Mesquite school district 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."
