Peach Creek Elementary teacher Rene Jesus Tavera-Arango accused of child sexual assault; MCSO calling for possible victims

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A 70-year-old man who has worked for more than a decade as an educator is now charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child, according to officials.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is asking for possible victims of Rene Jesus Tavera-Arango to come forward.

Tavera-Arango reportedly worked in three different school districts over his 14 years in education — including Navasota ISD, Cleveland ISD, most recently, at Splendora ISD’s Peach Creek Elementary School.

The sheriff’s office said their investigation began after multiple students reported allegations of sexual abuse against the elementary school teacher, leading to his arrest.

Charging documents against the teacher state he taught first grade and that two 7-year-old victims from his class at Peach Creek came forward.

Officials said Tavera-Arango is currently in the Montgomery County Jail.

ABC13 requested a statement from the three districts where the teacher worked.

In letters to parents and staff, Splendora ISD said Tavera-Arango was immediately placed on administrative leave.

Cleveland ISD responded with a statement, which read, in part:

“Cleveland ISD can confirm that Mr. Rene Jesus Tavera-Arango was employed with the district from August 16, 2013, to May 31, 2023. He is no longer employed with Cleveland ISD, as he resigned for other employment.
There were no allegations or disciplinary actions related to sexual misconduct during his employment with Cleveland ISD.”

Meanwhile, Navasota ISD stated “Mr. Tavera-Arango was briefly employed in the Spring semester of 2013 before resigning from the district at the end of that semester. There are no records of any incidents.”

If you have any information or may have been a victim, you are asked to contact the MCSO’s Special Victims Unit at (936) 760-5876.