VISALIA, Calif. (KMJ/KFSN) — Visalia Unified School District principal, 46-year-old Alejandro Marroquin, was behind bars this week after being arrested on felony charges.
The Visalia Police Department says officers responded to a vandalism report in a neighborhood on West Hurley Avenue on Monday.
Officers arrested Marroquin for damaging a vehicle.
Police say the owner of the vehicle is someone Marroquin had a domestic relationship with.
“It can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor. The fact that he was arrested on felony as opposed to misdemeanor vandalism is suggestive that the property damage was perhaps more extensive, and that’s what justified it being a felony charge,” says Attorney and Legal Analyst, Kevin Little.
According to Mt. Whitney High School’s website, Marroquin is the principal.
Our news partner ABC 30 Action News spoke to community members who shared their concerns regarding Marroquin’s actions.
We reached out to the district and its board members; all said they had no comment on the arrest.
“It’s important that we comport ourselves to set an example, because the community looks to us for ways to act appropriately, particularly if you’re working very closely with children. So it’s concerning. Also, the fact that he’s a faculty member, it opens him up to consequences outside of the criminal court process,” explains Little.
California Education Code prohibits people convicted of a violent or serious felony from being employed.
Non-violent felons must prove by “clear and convincing evidence” that they have been rehabilitated for at least one year to be employed.
But the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing could decide whether or not one’s credential remains valid.
“Absolutely. I’ve had clients, sadly enough, who ultimately were vindicated in court, who, still just based on the allegations, had issues with their credentials. The Teacher Credentialing Commission takes its role very seriously, and its outcome is separate and independent, and could even be contrary to the outcome of the criminal court process,” Little said.
The Tulare County District Attorney’s office is waiting for the final report to review it.
