David Rangel latest teacher in alleged sexual relationship with student outed by text message

A new government study has found that texting leads to lots of preventable traffic fatalities due to distracted driving. But at least the technology provides evidence against teachers accused of having sexual relationships with students. Note that yesterday's arrest of David Anthony Rangel, a language-arts teacher at Greeley's Jefferson High...

By Michael Roberts

September 22, 2010

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A new government study has found that texting leads to lots of preventable traffic fatalities due to distracted driving. But at least the technology provides evidence against teachers accused of having sexual relationships with students. Note that yesterday's arrest of David Anthony Rangel, a language-arts teacher at Greeley's Jefferson High School, is the third instance over four months' time in which smoking texts were cited in Colorado busts. In May, we shared info about the arrest of Travis Masse, a former Broomfield High School wrestling coach accused of doing more than wrestling with a student. The post noted that Masse was "arrested and accused of two counts involving sexual assault on a child. According to the arrest affidavit, Masse allegedly had an ongoing sexual relationship with one student beginning when she was seventeen. Police also believe he sexted her and an unknown number of other students photos of his naked body." That news was followed in July by word about the arrest of Alex Tinsley, a Longmont High School teacher caught publicly rubbing the leg of a student. That was followed by a subsequent report about him admitting to having sex with the student on multiple occasions in his pickup truck. Classy.

And then there was this: Tinsley was "also said to have left behind evidence aplenty about their dubious connection -- dozens of text messages, including one in which he reportedly asked the girl if she wanted to become a member of the Mile High Club."

As for Rangel, arrested for investigation of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, the Greeley Tribune reveals the existence of texts that made deniability difficult for him. From the article:

When police talked to Rangel, he admitted knowing the girl, but initially denied anything inappropriate happened with her, according to the affidavit. The girl told police that Rangel gave her his phone number and the two had been text messaging each other. She admitted kissing Rangel in the classroom.

Rangel called police back and told officers he was sorry for not being completely honest with them, the affidavit said. He admitted having kissed the girl and said he exchanged sexual messages through computer instant messaging programs over the summer.

Even if Rangel didn't text her while driving, that's still not okay.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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