One of two former Santa Rosa High School employees facing criminal charges for alleged sexual relationships with minor students appeared in court in Brownsville for a status hearing on pending trafficking and child sexual assault charges.
Isaac Ruben Flores, 26, faces one count of trafficking of persons, a first degree felony; three counts of sexual assault of a child; one count of indecency w/child; and one count of improper relationship between educator/student, all second degree felonies.
In a related case Flores faces four counts of delivery of marijuana to a minor, each a second degree felony.
The former coach is accused of having sex with a minor female student twice at his home between late 2018 and early 2019.
Flores appeared via Zoom before Judge Gloria Rincones in the 445th state District Court in Cameron County on Monday morning for a status hearing.
His attorney Carlos Quintana told the court he has three pending motions — one to require the prosecution to reveal an agreement with the witness that could influence his testimony, another for the state to list the witnesses prior to trial, and a third for evidence favorable to Flores.
Additionally Quintana sought a 705 hearing which can allow the defense to ask questions regarding underlying facts or data informing an expert witness’s opinion.
Rincones set the hearing for Nov. 12, with trial dates to be given at a later hearing. Prosecutors stated they were in the process of putting together the witness list and would hand over any favorable evidence they receive.
Flores and former colleague Josue Cepeda are defendants in a federal Title IX lawsuit which alleged that school officials knew the two coaches pursued sexual relationships with two female students but failed to take disciplinary action.
