Read more: Local, Crime, San Benito, Peeping Tom, Mid Valley Academy, Prison Sentence, Jose Trinidad Sauceda, Lopez Air Conditioning, Harlingen, Dr. Daniel Garcia, Cameron County, Rio Gradne Valley
A registered sex offender who pled guilty on Friday to improperly videotaping students at Mid-Valley Academy in San Benito received an eight year prison sentence.
Jose Trinidad Sauceda was convicted on 9 counts of improper photo/visual recording for a case back in December 2008 at the Academy.
Police said Sauceda used a vent in the ceiling of the girl’s bathroom above a stall to tape unsuspecting victims below.
The ex-maintenance worker was employed by Lopez Air Conditioning out of Harlingen at the time.
The school’s Director, Dr. Daniel Garcia, told Action 4 News he first learned about crime after a student told staff she felt like she was being “watched.”
Dr. Garcia, who’s away from the Valley on business, provided Action 4 News with a statement over the telephone.
“While I do believe the justice system works, I’m a little disappointed in the 8 year prison sentence,” said the Academy’s Director. “I want parents to know new measures are in place to ensure the school does not go through this again.”
One example highlighted by Dr. Garcia had to do with how maintenance contracts now go through a screening process.
Back in 2008, he said that was not the case because the Academy did not own the building.
Dr. Garcia said Lopez Air Conditioning was hired by the Landlord and added how “Lopez” hired Sauceda without properly doing a criminal background check.
It would have revealed how Sauceda was previously convicted for aggravated sexual assault of child.
Dr. Garcia said Sauceda should never have been near his students.
As for parents we talked with they said they're relieved the case is finally behind them.
