SHALLOWATER, Texas (KCBD) – An assistant band director with Shallowater ISD is in custody after being accused of continuous sexual abuse of two or more children, according to records from the Lubbock County Detention Center.
Joseph Gonzalez, 27, has been arrested and booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond.
The charges followed an investigation by the Shallowater ISD Police Department. In a forensic interview, a student told child advocates and Department of Public Safety investigators that Gonzalez, while serving as her teacher, coerced her into sending explicit photos and videos of herself over Snapchat. Those messages began in May 2024.
According to court documents, Gonzalez also molested the student at her home and on school campuses.
Police said they were able to trace social media accounts back to Gonzalez. The district began a formal investigation more than a month ago, at which point Gonzalez was placed on administrative leave.
Shallowater ISD released this statement on Thursday night:
Shallowater ISD is aware of the recent arrest of a district employee and continues to cooperate fully with law enforcement.
The District was first notified of the allegations after hours on February 2nd, and the employee has remained on administrative leave since the morning of February 3rd.
Student and staff safety remain our top priority. Although personnel matters are confidential by law, the District can confirm that the situation has been handled promptly and in accordance with district policy and legal requirements.
We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as law enforcement has worked to conduct its investigation.
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