A music director at a Texas Catholic school was accused of seeking sex with a 14-year-old girl who was actually an officer posing online as a minor.
KRIS reported that Corpus Christi police arrested Lazaro Benito Rocha, 26, during their five-day online sting operation targeting people who were soliciting illicit pictures of children or planning to meet with children for sexual purposes.
In addition to the police department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security and the Texas Department of Public Safety also participated in the operation.
According to the Corpus Christi Caller Times, Rocha, who taught part-time at St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church, responded to an online ad posted by an officer posing as a 14-year-old girl. Police said he initially acknowledged that he could get in trouble if he was seen with anyone younger than 18—only to message the girl the next day and say, “I’m not complaining…are you?”
Rocha reportedly asked for the girl’s cellphone number so they could text each other. In text messages, he allegedly said he wanted to have sexual relations with her and asked if she lost her virginity, recommending sex acts they could partake in.
The music teacher also sent the undercover officer a picture of his genitals, the Caller Times reported, citing an arrest affidavit.
“During the messages, Rocha stated he was 26 years of age and a teacher,” the affidavit stated. “Rocha stated he wanted to have sex with the 14-year-old on the desk in his classroom.”
Authorities claimed Rocha sent a photo of the desk and suggested they could have oral sex in the classroom. The music teacher was on school grounds when he sent sexually explicit messages, they alleged.
School officials confirmed to the Caller Times that Rocha will no longer work for the diocese. Sammie H. Grunwald, president of Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi, said in a statement that he was also a part-time elementary-level music teacher. He said the music teacher will not return to the elementary school in light of his arrest.
Rocha was charged with suspicion of online solicitation of a minor and display of harmful material to a minor. He was released from custody Sunday after posting $110,000 bail.
[Featured image: Lazaro Benito Rocha/Nueces County jail]
