Landrum fine arts teacher arrested again; accused of sexually harassing fifth grader

By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com

Joe Mendez

Joe Mendez

Two additional charges have been filed against Landrum Elementary School fine arts teacher Joe Mendez, who was arrested in September on five counts of assault, for the alleged sexual harassment of a fifth grade student.

Mendez, 57, was arrested Friday, Oct. 4, and charged with two counts of class “C” misdemeanor assault. The charges stem from allegations made by a female fifth grade student attending Landrum, according to arrest affidavits filed by the San Benito Consolidated Independent School District Police Department with the office of Precinct 3, Place 2 Justice of the Peace David Garza.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2013/10/05/landrum-fine-arts-teacher-arrested-again-accused-of-sexually-harassing-fifth-grader/

12 comments

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    • Juan on October 9, 2013 at 7:47 am
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    Looks to me that this crack school police force should be investigating the new hires on the staff,faculty,and administration,this is where the root problem exists.

      • Candida Perales on October 10, 2013 at 2:57 am
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      Really? You want the police to do HR’s job?

    • Manuel on October 7, 2013 at 10:08 pm
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    SBCISD meeting tomorrow.. Sure hope they bring Mr. Limon back… Stop spending our children’s money… Two SUPTs. Really? Approving PDAS appraisers in October.. Wow. And to think they have ALL THAT EXPERIENCE at ADMINISTRATION! Where is the money? Right… Paying a vendor for services. May 2014 is going to be a whole new story…. No more INSURANCE MESS, no more WAITING TO PAY SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR OUR CHILDREN, AND FINALLY some people who can think for themselves. Speak up San Benito !!

    • Diana on October 6, 2013 at 5:57 pm
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    Talk is that those criminal background checks have been “put away” due to “some people” may turn up with issues. Where is the transparency in all this? Why are those boards members who so quickly want mr Limon out show us who they really are? When are we going to expect more from our school board members? They are so concern with eating out with vendors that they forget why we elected them. What a waste of my vote. T

      • Reform San Benito on October 7, 2013 at 9:35 am
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      The reason many run for office in the first place is for those perks of being wined and dined by vendors, and mini-vacations under the pretense of educational seminars. The citizens envision electing people who will make a positive difference for the community. They envision what a difference the community will make to their inconsequential lives.

    • Reconstituting San Benito on October 5, 2013 at 11:18 pm
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    Really guys? I used to have 1400 employees, 97 managers, & 225 matrix staff support personnel under my jurisdiction. So if one person commits a crime, whom was hired by a department head, or in this case, a principal, it is the fault of the Executive, or in this case, the Superintendent?

    I fully agree with the “Buck stops here” mentality , but in a large organization, there will be folks who lie, cheat & steal, that’s simply the nature of the beast.

    Granted, if improper background checks were not performed, or past records deliberately overlooked, someone must be held accountable. But to point a finger at Mr. Limon when these situations arise is plain ridiculous.

      • Reform San Benito on October 6, 2013 at 11:20 am
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      Well said..RSB!

    • richard on October 5, 2013 at 10:58 pm
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    Interesting, according to you tube comments by Chuy Aguilera apparently The Board hired a teacher at the high school this summer with the same type of problems. Who do we blame? The board or the principal that recommended? What if criminal checks turn up clean? What if current employees related to board members have criminal records? So many questions.

  1. Its sad that they call our city CLOWN TOWN. But in a few months we can change that.

    • Kevin M. on October 5, 2013 at 3:24 pm
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    Just Why: not only those who hired him , but every board member since then. Just watch as they try to distance themselves from him even after alllll the trips they take together. Move on San Benito board members. You are not proving one single thing by dragging this investigation on. Just more money for mrs board president and her followers. Where is May 2014….yep right around the corner.
    By the way, board members… Curriculum and instruction lady has no business being name supt…. Hire dr Sylvia from bisd.

  2. You are right Juan ,thanks to Mr. Limon and his people who hired him .He was the one doing it all . And you all know it . But Thank God its al coming out.

    • Juan on October 5, 2013 at 1:33 am
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    The San Benito CISD sure knows how to choose their faculty,good job,you clowns,all should be fired,or have charges filed upon them,or both.

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