Brownsville teacher charged with child pornography

A choir teacher was arrested and charged with four counts of possession of child pornography by Brownsville Independent School District police.

Ramiro C. Lozano, 46, a choir teacher at Besteiro Middle School since Aug. 10, 2007, was arrested Wednesday afternoon in San Juan by school police with the assistance of various law enforcement agencies in an ongoing investigation, said BISD spokeswoman Dru Brown.

During a bond hearing the Cameron County District Attorney's Office asked Municipal Judge Ben Neece for bond to be set at $50,000 per count. Neece granted the request setting bond at $200,000, a press statement issued by the DA said.

The agencies involved in the investigation and arrest also include San Juan police, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Marshals Service and the Texas Rangers.

Brown said BISD police began an investigation during the holiday break and placed Lozano on leave when school resumed classes on Monday.

She said further details in the case were not available since it's an ongoing investigation and a personnel matter.

Possession of child pornography is a third-degree felony and carries a punishment of no less than two years and up to 10 years in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine, according to the press release.