Prosper Independent School District has moved to terminate a recently hired law enforcement teacher after officials learned of his prior arrest on a domestic violence allegation.
Luis Moreno, a former officer with the McKinney Police Department, had been brought on to teach law enforcement courses at Prosper High School, Fox 4 KDFW reported.
The district publicized the hiring on Wednesday on its social media pages, but the post was taken down after users left comments referencing Moreno’s earlier arrest. He was placed on administrative leave, and the district began termination proceedings.
“Upon learning this information, the district took immediate action, and this person will not be working in our schools. We are confident in the steps that were taken and will continue to follow all required protocols regarding employee background and conduct,” the district said in a statement.
Prosper ISD said the position did not require a teaching certificate, and Moreno had no contact with students.
Court records show Moreno was arrested in 2022 on an allegation that he assaulted his then-girlfriend. According to a police report, the two were at a restaurant when Moreno grabbed her multiple times and bit her ear. Witnesses told officers the woman screamed, pushed him away, and ran off before he grabbed her arm again.
Collin County court records indicate Moreno accepted a plea agreement that reduced the charge to a Class C misdemeanor.
The district said it uses federal-level background checks to screen job candidates and confirmed that a Class C misdemeanor would appear on such a check. Applicants are also asked on the district’s application whether they have been arrested.
It remains unclear whether the district followed up on the misdemeanor flag during Moreno’s background check, and a district spokesperson said they did not know how Moreno answered the arrest question on his application.
Provided by Dallas Express
