A former Crowley Independent School District principal has been charged with a felony after investigators said he sold prescription weight loss medication to teachers and staff earlier this year.

Gerardo Moreno Mendez, 32, was formally charged on June 8 with the delivery or offer of delivery of a dangerous drug, Fox 4 KDFW reported.

Alleged Sales Took Place at Crowley ISD

Investigators allege that in January, Moreno Mendez sold a GLP-1 weight loss drug to at least three teachers and staff members within Crowley ISD. Under state law, only licensed medical providers or veterinarians may prescribe such medication.

A Crowley ISD spokesperson told the news outlet that Moreno Mendez is no longer employed by the district and declined to comment further on personnel matters involving former employees.

Godley ISD Selected Moreno Mendez Before Charge Was Filed

Moreno Mendez was later hired in April as the principal of Godley Middle School in Godley ISD, which featured him in a Facebook post at the time. On June 16, following his arrest, Godley ISD announced on Facebook that it had named a new principal for the middle school. Moreno Mendez had not begun his employment at Godley and never worked for the district, per Fox 4.

Defense Attorney Calls for Careful Review of Case

In a statement to Fox 4, Moreno Mendez’s attorney said his client turned himself in voluntarily after learning of the warrant.

“Mr. Moreno voluntarily turned himself in last month after learning that a warrant had been issued for his arrest. By that time, the school district had already conducted its own investigation and reinstated him as principal. Although we are limited in what we can disclose at this time, that is a significant fact that should not be overlooked,” the attorney said. “We hope the district attorney’s office will give this case the careful and thoughtful review it deserves.”

Criminologist Says Pending Allegations Often Don’t Appear on Background Checks

Criminologist Alex del Carmen, who is not involved in the case, told Fox 4 that background checks typically do not surface pending or unfiled accusations against a job applicant.

“When you do your background check, and that entity does it independently, they’re going to go by the individual that’s already been convicted, the person that’s already been in court and has been found guilty, but not necessarily somebody that may be temporarily accused of a crime or somebody that has not been even presented formal charges,” del Carmen said.

“And so, I don’t blame the entity that did the background check. I actually look at the fact that, sadly, the criminal justice process moves so slowly here that essentially it put the school in jeopardy, the new school in jeopardy, and the students as well.”

Moreno Mendez is free on bond and is scheduled to return to court next month.