By CATHERINE DONNELLY
Special to the PRESS
Following an investigation by the Port Isabel Police (PIPD) and Point Isabel Independent School District (PI-ISD), Police Chief Martinez rearrested former district employee Omar Vera on Friday evening, March 8, while Vera was out on bond from his first arrest in February.
New charges involve indecency with and grooming of a child, the alleged crimes happened under PI-ISD jurisdiction.
PIPD booked Vera into Cameron County Jail, arraigned him the next day on March 9, and transferred him to Carrizales Detention Center in Olmito.
While Vera was incarcerated over the weekend, Detective Michaela Zuniga, PIPD’s chief investigator on the case, indicted him on additional charges of indecency and grooming for alleged crimes that transpired off school grounds.
Vera had been initially arrested in February on five counts of distribution of harmful material to a minor. According to a previous report from The Press, 48-year-old Vera was employed as a paraprofessional at Port Isabel High School for at least three years when the crimes occurred.
The PI-ISD immediately fired Vera when the first charges occurred. His initial bond was $25,000, but with additional charges placed on Vera, the bond is now $50,000. According to PIPD, the investigation began when it came to light that Vera allegedly sent harmful material to a female high school student who is a minor.
There is no prior police record at the time of the first arrest.
Cybercrime has become an increasing concern for law enforcement, school staff, and parents. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in 2022, cybercrime against children puts approximately seven underage victims at risk per day in the United States.
Detective Zuniga said, “I want people to know that these crimes are important and need immediate reporting, and we will take action on them,” and finished with, “We take these crimes against children very seriously.”
To assist the Port Isabel Police Department (PIPD) in keeping the youngest members of our community safe, report all suspicious or criminal activity using the PIPD website’s online form or by calling (956) 943-2727 or (956) 943-1242.
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