Bond reduction denied for Mexico teacher charged with student sexual contact
UPDATE: An Audrain County judge denied a bond reduction request Wednesday for the Mexico High School band director charged with sexual contact with a student.
Robert Cortez is set to appear in court again on Nov. 29 for a preliminary hearing.
ORIGINAL STORY: The band director at Mexico High School was arrested on Wednesday for sexual contact with a student.
On Tuesday, officials received a report from a student of the Mexico Public School District stating that Robert V Cortez, 43, had touched a student inappropriately.
ABC 17 News reached out to Audrain County officials and obtained the official probable cause statement.
According to court documents, the victim of the alleged sexual assault was a male. He was in a car with Cortez at the time of the assault.
According to court documents, when the two were alone, Cortez touched the male multiple times in his private area.
The student told investigators he was afraid to say no because he was concerned with how Cortez would react. Cortez continued to touch the student saying, “not to worry” and that they were “taking the long way.”
The Mexico School District told ABC 17 News they have no additional information, other than it’s an ongoing investigation.
ABC 17 News spoke with several students on campus who were shocked to hear of the accusations. One parent, whose son is in band was shocked to hear the news, but didn’t want to make a judgment until all the facts are out.
Missouri’s State Technical Assistance Team reached out to school officials who say Cortez did admit to giving the student a ride, but denied sexual contact. The team attempted to interview Cortez, but he refused to give a statement.
ABC 17 News called the school board, and reached out to band booster parents about the future of the school’s program, but have not heard back.
Cortez has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Cortez has officially been charged with two counts of felonious sexual contact with a student, and is being held in the Audrain County jail on a $50,000 cash only bond.
