DONNA — A teacher accused of trying to have sex with a 16-year-old male has resigned from Donna school district, according to district officials.
Fidel Castillo Jr., 47, was arrested Saturday on a charge of online solicitation of a minor and was released from jail later that day after posting $25,000 bail.
The teen told the Texas Department of Public Safety that Castillo had contacted him through Grindr, a dating app, and that they had been speaking through the mobile messaging app Kik. He and Castillo arranged to meet at the teen’s home in early February, according to an arrest warrant affidavit, and during this encounter engaged in sexual activity.
Castillo worked as a career and technology teacher at Donna High School and submitted his letter of resignation on Monday, according to spokeswoman Sandra Quintanilla.
Prior to his resignation, interim Superintendent Filomena Leo stated that appropriate disciplinary action would ensue based on the charges, and termination would have been an option.
“When considering disciplinary action, termination is an option when an employee fails to meet the standards of the teaching profession,” Leo said through the district spokeswoman.
Castillo was arrested after a DPS special agent posing as the teen texted Castillo on Feb. 16 that he was 16 years old. According to the affidavit, Castillo “disregarded this information and continued messaging the (undercover agent),” telling him about the specific sexual acts he wanted to perform on him. Castillo then asked the teen to meet with him at Long City Park in Pharr that afternoon.
When Castillo arrived at the park and did not see the teen, he left, at which point the DPS agent pulled him over. During the traffic stop, the affidavit states Castillo admitted he “was meeting a male whom he believed to be 18 at the park … (and) Castillo openly admitted that (he) had met the male through Grindr …”
In a subsequent interview with the agent at DPS’ McAllen office, Castillo “admitted that what (he) did was wrong and that the male was probably a minor.” He also admitted to previously meeting the 16-year-old at the teen’s house.
If convicted of the third-degree felony charge, Castillo could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Danya Perez-Hernandez contributed to this report.
