Adron Charles Tennell, 24, substitute teacher at Irving High School, has been arrested for alleged sexual misconduct with an Irving High student, with the incident taking place off campus.
According to Pat Lamb, IISD director of school safety and operations, Tennell was arrested for alleged inappropriate contact between an educator and student and second degree sexual assault. The alleged misconduct took place January 23, and the arrest was made February 4. Prior to the arrest, information was originally submitted to the school resource officer at Irving High - a member of the Irving Police Department. Following the officer’s investigation, warrants were issued for Tennell’s arrest.
According to the Irving Police Department, investigators were made aware of a possible improper relationship between the substitute teacher and the student on February 1st. The investigation revealed that 24 year-old Adron Charles Tennell of Grand Prairie had sexual contact with a 16 year-old student while he was employed by the Irving ISD as a substitute teacher.
"Based on this information, arrest warrants for Improper Relationship between Educator and Student and Sexual Assault were obtained for
Tennell. On February 3 at approximately 9:00 p.m. Tennell turned himself in at the Irving Jail and was arrested for the warrants" - Irving Police Press Release.
Tennell posted bond the following morning and was released.
Irving Police investigators are not aware of any other victims; however, they ask if anyone has additional information about any other possible incidents to contact them directly at 972-273-1010.
The Irving Independent School District issued the following statement, "The safety and security of Irving ISD students is a top priority, and IISD maintains stringent hiring practices for substitute teachers. According to Robyn Wolters, IISD director of human resources, substitutes are subjected to a four-step process before being allowed to enter the classroom. Those interested in substitute teaching must first submit a formal job application. They are then screened according to Gallup Teacher Insight, campus referral or their listed references. If selected from the screening process, a background check is conducted through the Safe Schools program and they are sent to Texas Department of Public Safety to be fingerprinted. "
"Substitutes are not permitted to enter the classroom until background check and fingerprint results are returned to IISD, and indicate that the substitute teacher will not present a threat to students."
"Tennell passed all portions of the hiring process without indication that he would pose a threat. As part of the investigative process, Tennell has been formally placed on unpaid leave, and has been blocked from receiving any substitute positions during the investigation. "
