Matthew Ramos, a 34-year-old former middle school teacher from Midlothian, Texas, has been sentenced to fifteen years in prison for an improper relationship between a teacher and student, and ten years in prison with a $2,000 fine for online solicitation of a child. The decision was announced by Ellis County and District Attorney Ann Montgomery.
The charges against Ramos stem from his actions during the Fall of 2021 when he was employed as a teacher in the Grand Prairie Independent School District. During that time, Ramos initiated a relationship with a former student, who was then 16 years old and attending high school. The inappropriate relationship began with text messages, eventually escalating to the exchange of explicit photos and texts. This ultimately culminated in a physical encounter where Ramos and the student kissed in his classroom, which was located in a building connected to the high school.
In October 2021, rumors of Ramos's relationship with a student began circulating among other students at the school, prompting school administration to intervene. Ramos initially denied any wrongdoing when questioned by law enforcement but later changed his account, admitting that he was in love with the student. However, he claimed that no nude photos of the child were ever exchanged. Ramos even revealed a tattoo sleeve symbolizing his connection to the student and mentioned giving her a promise ring.
Subsequent investigation by detectives uncovered explicit messages and nude photos exchanged between Ramos and the student on his phone. Additionally, messages were discovered in which Ramos expressed intentions to bring a gun into the school to deal with the girls who had reported their relationship to the administration. Many of these messages and images were sent while Ramos was in Midlothian, leading to the charges being prosecuted in Ellis County.
Ramos pleaded guilty to the offenses on July 19, 2023. After hearing testimony from various witnesses, including the student and her mother, a co-worker, a detective, Ramos's family members, and Ramos himself, Judge Cindy Ermatinger of the 443rd District Court handed down the sentence on September 21, 2023. Ramos received a 15-year prison term for the improper relationship with a student charge and ten years in prison for the online solicitation charge, with the sentences to be served concurrently.
"Teachers hold a position of power and trust over our most vulnerable citizens: our children. When that trust is broken, it affects the child, the school, and the fabric of our community," stated District Attorney Ann Montgomery. "Our office and the Court made clear by this verdict that those who would twist their responsibility to protect children into a sexual perversion will be punished and sent to a place where they do not have access to potential child victims."
The prosecution was led by Felony Chief Prosecutor Grace Pandithurai and Felony Prosecutor Kayce Witt, with assistance from Felony Prosecutor Ashley Indelicato and Investigator Joseph Aguilar. The case was investigated by Detective Hannah Orosco and Brandon Poor of the Grand Prairie Police Department.
