Middle School Security Guard Charged with Sexually Assaulting Teacher

The security guard at Mesa Middle School allegedly forced a teacher into a locked classroom and sexually assaulted and threatened her.

Middle School Security Guard Charged with Sexually Assaulting Teacher

The security guard has also been charged with kidnapping and bribery of a witness.

A security guard at a Las Cruces, N.M., middle school was arrested Monday after he allegedly restrained and groped a teacher in her classroom.

Tom M. Trujillo, 59, has been charged with first-degree kidnapping, third-degree criminal sexual penetration, bribery of a witness and criminal sexual contact, according to the Las Cruces Police Department.

Court records indicate the charges stem from a September incident at Mesa Middle School.

The incident started when a student reported missing money to both the teacher and Trujillo on September 25, reports Las Cruces Sun-News.

The following day, Trujillo allegedly entered the teacher’s classroom, grabbed her by the arms, and forced her to an isolated part of the room where he stated, “I’m gonna have to pat you down.” He then got behind the teacher and pushed her up against a desk.

Trujillo allegedly placed his hands over her shoulders and groped the front of her body. The woman says she tried to remove his hands from her at least four times, pleading him to stop. He also allegedly put his mouth on her ear.

The affidavit says once the teacher was able to move away, Trujillo stated, “You’re going to keep this quiet,” and that he would come back later in the day.

The following day, Trujillo returned and touched her inappropriately again. The teacher then told another teacher about the assaults.

In an interview with police, Trujillo admitted to grabbing the woman’s chest, but says she “never said no” and that the incident was “all mutual”.

“We have a policy that’s long standing that talks about any kind of sexual advancement, graphics, language. Any touching that is inappropriate or unwarranted when someone doesn’t want to have that kind of contact. It’s very specific and very thorough so that it does protect both students and staff,” says school district spokeswoman Jo Galvan of the allegations.

Police became aware of the allegations on October 2 and Trujillo was placed on administrative leave on October 3.

Trujillo gave his resignation on December 1. He had been employed as a security guard by the Las Cruces Public Schools since August 2010.

Trujillo is being held without bond at the Doña Ana County Detention Center pending a pretrial detention hearing. Prosecutors have requested he not be released before his trial date.

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Amy is Campus Safety’s Executive Editor. Prior to joining the editorial team in 2017, she worked in both events and digital marketing.

Amy has many close relatives and friends who are teachers, motivating her to learn and share as much as she can about campus security. She has a minor in education and has worked with children in several capacities, further deepening her passion for keeping students safe.

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