SAN ANTONIO – A man who worked as a substitute teacher for the Northside Independent School district has been fired amid claims of molestation by an 11-year-old girl.
Barry Perez, NISD executive director of communications, said Luis Lopez, 75, was removed from the position earlier this week immediately after the allegations were raised.
Lopez was arrested Wednesday evening on a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child.
An arrest warrant affidavit said the girl detailed incidents in her diary, which made its way into the hands of an adult relative. The relative went to the principal at the girl's school, and the principal called police.
The girl told detectives that Lopez fondled and sexually assaulted her several times last summer during what were supposed to be tutoring sessions at his far West Side home, the affidavit said.
She also told police that Lopez showered her and her brother with gifts, including cellphones and laptop computers, the affidavit said.
"This individual gained the confidence of the family, of the child, and he was also tutoring another sibling," San Antonio Police Sgt. Michael Davis said.
Davis said it's possible this was not an isolated case, because Lopez worked with other children.
"We wanted to make sure that if there are any other complainants, that they're able to go ahead and be aware of this from the school and come forward and contact Special Victims Unit," he said.
Perez said right now, it looks as though no students were harmed by Lopez on any campus.
"We have no reason to believe anything happened at school," Perez said. "There was never an opportunity for (Lopez) to be alone with students on campus. He always tutored in groups, with teachers nearby."
Perez said the investigation is ongoing and that he so far hasn't heard from any other alleged victims.
