Sex abuse trial includes local/area persons

I picked up the Odessa American newspaper Wednesday and the top story was the criminal trial in Lubbock of John Paul Hernandez, the former principal at the West Texas State School in nearby Pyote. Hernandez is charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse that he allegedly committed against some of the students at the Texas Youth Commission facility in 2004 and 2005.

Turns out his defense attorney is Albert Valadez of Fort Stockton, the former 83rd State Judicial District Attorney, our former DA. One of the witnesses for the prosecution is Monroe Elms, a former assistant principal at the school. Monroe, who lives in Shafter, is a former Presidio County Judge.

It’s a small world in Far West Texas, and here’s the OA story.