Prosper ISD Terminates Newly Hired Teacher After Parents Flag Criminal History Online

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

PROSPER, Texas — Prosper ISD is terminating the contract of a newly hired law enforcement teacher after parents and residents uncovered his 2022 criminal case in the comments of the district’s own Facebook announcement welcoming him to Prosper High School.

District officials say the employee never had contact with students. But the episode has left many parents asking a different question: How did the hiring happen in the first place?

Hiring Announcement Quickly Draws Questions

The controversy began earlier this week when Prosper High School introduced Luis Moreno as its new Law Enforcement Teacher on Facebook, describing him as bringing “a wealth of real world experience” to the school’s law enforcement program.

Instead of welcoming the announcement, community members quickly began posting concerns about Moreno’s background.

Several commenters referenced a 2022 assault case in Collin County. Others shared public records showing Moreno’s Texas peace officer license is inactive and questioned whether Prosper ISD had completed a background check before offering him the position.

As the comments grew, the district removed the Facebook post.

By Thursday evening, Prosper ISD confirmed Moreno had been placed on administrative leave and that it had begun the process of terminating his contract.

“Upon learning this information, the district took immediate action, and this person will not be working in our schools,” the district said in a statement. “We are confident in the steps that were taken and will continue to follow all required protocols regarding employee background and conduct.”

The district also emphasized Moreno never had contact with students and had not officially started work before the decision was made.

Criminal Case

According to Collin County court records, Moreno was arrested in 2022 following an incident involving his then-girlfriend at a restaurant.

A police report states Moreno allegedly grabbed the woman several times and bit her ear before she broke away. Witnesses told officers they saw portions of the incident.

Court records show the case was later resolved through a plea agreement that reduced the charge to a Class C misdemeanor.

Moreno did not respond to FOX 4’s requests for comment.

Hiring Process Now Under Scrutiny

While Moreno’s employment has ended before he entered a classroom, the district’s hiring process has become the larger issue.

Prosper ISD told FOX 4 that applicants undergo federal-level background checks before being hired. The district also asks applicants whether they have ever been arrested.

A district spokesperson said a Class C misdemeanor should appear during that background screening.

What Prosper ISD has not explained is whether Moreno disclosed the arrest, whether the misdemeanor appeared during the background check, or how the hiring progressed to the point where the district publicly introduced him as a new employee.

Those unanswered questions are now at the center of the discussion among many Prosper parents.

Public Records Raise Additional Questions

Records reviewed by TX3DNews show Moreno previously served with the McKinney Police Department.

A Texas Commission on Law Enforcement record lists his peace officer license as inactive and states he is “not currently eligible for appointment.” The publicly available database does not explain the reason for that designation.

Screenshots shared by residents also included additional records related to Moreno’s law enforcement career. TX3DNews independently reviewed the publicly available licensing information but has not verified other claims circulating on social media regarding Moreno’s employment history or the circumstances surrounding his departure from the McKinney Police Department.

District Reviewing What Happened

Prosper ISD has not announced whether it plans to review or revise its hiring procedures following the incident.

TX3DNews has submitted requests for comment asking whether Moreno disclosed his 2022 arrest during the application process, whether the misdemeanor appeared during the district’s background screening and whether the district intends to make changes to prevent a similar situation in the future.

Additional requests for comment have also been sent to the McKinney Police Department regarding Moreno’s employment history and to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement seeking clarification on the meaning of Moreno’s current licensing status.

As one of the fastest-growing school districts in North Texas, Prosper ISD’s response—and the answers that follow—are likely to receive continued attention from parents across Prosper and neighboring communities.