Former PHS teacher found guilty of inappropriate relationship with student

Pennylynn Webb, Palestine Herald-Press, Texas
·2 min read

Apr. 20—Adrian Alonso, the former head band director for Palestine High School, was sentenced to 11 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on three counts of inappropriate relationship between an educator and student, a second degree felony, Friday, April 19.

"We are grateful for the jury's verdict and punishment," said District Attorney Allyson Mitchell. "Adults trust teachers with their children. The defendant betrayed that trust. He knew she was vulnerable and took advantage of her. He gained her trust, only for him to destroy her trust. We are glad he will never teach again.

"Others who may have the same lust for a student have been warned. Anderson County takes sexual behavior seriously. Justice was served."

The trial was held in the 369th State District Judge Michael Davis.

Davis approved a request from Mitchell for a lifetime protective order for the victim. The defendant is to have no contact with the victim for the remainder of their lives. He also received a $2,000 fine.

Alonso was found not guilty of the sexual assault of child and three counts of indecency with child sex contact.

Mitchell said Alfonse's sentences will run concurrently and he has already served 16 months of that time.

"I am thankful for the jury's sentence and the fact this individual will never be teaching in our schools again," said Chief Mark Harcrow. "We appreciate the work of our officers and the Anderson County District Attorney's Office in pursuing justice in this case."

Alonso, 38, was arrested Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023 while serving as a bus driver for a school field trip.

According to Harcrow, a former PISD student made a report Jan. 11 of an inappropriate relationship between them and Alonso, including sexual contact, beginning in 2020.

A warrant for Alonso's arrest was obtained Jan. 11, 2023, issued by 369th State District Judge Michael Davis for the charge of inappropriate educator/student relationship, a second degree felony. Detectives with the Palestine Police Department located Alonso in Fort Worth, while he was driving a bus for a school field trip. Alonso was arrested and transported to the Tarrant County Jail, and later extradited to Anderson County.

Palestine Independent School District Public Relations Director Larissa Loveless said Alonso was immediately suspended from his duties at PISD after the arrest and the school district is in full cooperation with the Palestine Police Department on the investigation.

Alonso was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday, March 22, 2023.