By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
Alfredo Hernandez
Former Berta Cabaza Middle School Choir Director Alfredo Hernandez, Jr. was apologetic in an email to his principal just days after Hernandez had been arrested and charged for the online solicitation of a minor.
“I am really sorry for what I did and what I’ve done to you,” Hernandez said in the email, which was obtained by the San Benito News on Thursday via an open records request.
The email in question was sent to BCMS Principal William Snavely at 12:15 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 15, announcing his resignation as the school’s choir director. “I am really sorry for those who I love and care for. I hope you can forgive me one day for my mistake; I respect you so much as a principal.”
As first reported via sbnewspaper.com, the now-ex choir director was arrested Friday for soliciting a 12-year-old Harlingen girl on Facebook. Charges levied against Hernandez, 29, stem from accusations that he attempted to lure the girl out of her parents’ house to meet.
Police were alerted to the matter when a 32-year-old Harlingen woman, the victim’s mother, informed authorities that Hernandez had allegedly contacted the 12-year-old on Facebook. Harlingen police have alleged that Hernandez, who reportedly referred to himself as “Freddy Love” on Facebook, suggested that the victim “sneak out of the house, leave the parents, and meet with him” near the Walmart in Harlingen. Citing Facebook messages that referenced “illicit sexual conduct,” it has also been alleged that Hernandez intended to pick up the minor and take her to his apartment in Brownsville.
It was Friday, the evening of Oct. 12, that Harlingen police officers in marked and unmarked units apprehended Hernandez, who was driving a Chevrolet passenger vehicle, in the vicinity of the Harlingen Walmart parking lot.
Coincidentally, Hernandez worked with Ramiro C. Lozano at BCMS as his assistant choir director from September 2006 to July 2007. Lozano is in his second year of serving a 19-year prison sentence after admitting in October 2009 to persuading young boys to pose nude in photographs.
Hernandez eventually replaced Lozano as BCMS choir director after the latter began employment at Besteiro Middle School in Brownsville, where Lozano worked at the time of his arrest.
San Benito CISD Superintendent of Schools Antonio G. Limón has said that Hernandez checked out in past and recent criminal background checks. “He had a completely clean background check,” Limón said. “We just ran current background checks three months ago on every employee in the district.”
It was also reported recently that San Benito CISD school officials notified the Texas Education Agency’s State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) about Hernandez’s situation.
Read this story in the Oct. 21 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
4 comments
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Can’t wait for election time because
my property value decreases every time San Benito is
In the news. Come on people… Get your act together!
DelaSera,
If you have something to comment, then comment on it. Many readers of the SBNews and citizens of SB comment here and there, talk here and there, but don’t have the _____ to flat out say what they want to say. It’s just a bunch of he said she said, well so and so said, I heard this, etc. Say what you know. Your identity is anon. in regards to what you post anyway. Go for it!
Perhaps, just maybe, if readers and citizens truly said what was on their mind, voiced their concerns, more people voted, change and a better outlook for the city and school district would happen.
Plus it makes for better reading, too!
Alfredo Hernandez u are a disgrace to San Benito u r mentally sick and need professional help I can’t believe he was around children
Alrighty then, was there anyone with a criminal record? Someone ask please. Anyone with an intoxication manslaughter charge? I do not have these resources to find out but I have been told there is someone, related to a board member who meets this discription.