Former Galveston ISD teacher charged with sexual assault of a child

A former Galveston ISD teacher has been charged with sexual assault of a child and improper relationship between educator/student.

Galveston police say 27-year-old Eliezer Marquez is accused of engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old female student. According to investigators, Marquez and the student met in the spring semester of 2016-2017 school year outside of the school through a family member who was a mutual acquaintance, then began conversing at school and through text messages.

According to police, the victim says on one instance she met Marquez in his classroom and they kissed and he put his hand up her skirt. Police say the victim told investigators that in late June Marquez picked her up from a volunteering event and he drove her out to a secluded spot near East Beach where they engaged in sexual intercourse in his truck.

Police say Marquez had recently resigned from his position at GISD when they issued the warrant. Marquez was book at the Galveston County Jail on one count of Sexual Assault of a Child and one count of Improper Relationship between Educator/Student on a $40,000 bond.

Galveston ISD released this statement:

Galveston ISD school officials immediately placed a GISD employee on administrative leave upon learning of alleged inappropriate contact with a Galveston Ball HS student.  The employee has resigned and the alleged conduct continues to be under investigation.  According to Chief Amador, Galveston ISD Police Department, on August 23, 2017, warrants of arrests were obtained by the Galveston Police Department on charges of Sexual Assault of a Child and Improper Relationship between Educator/Student, two 2nd Degree Felonies with a total bond of $40,000.00. 

Galveston ISD takes this matter very seriously, and we are deeply concerned that it appears something of this nature has happened at one of our schools and to one of our students.Galveston ISD and the Galveston Police Department continually work closely together to maintain a safe and secure environment for all our students.