Court documents reveal that a former educator from St. Paul Public Schools has confessed to engaging in sexual activity with a student in December.
Pablo Alejandro Cortez, a 50-year-old resident of St. Paul, admitted guilt to a single count of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct on Monday. In return, he received a two-year probationary sentence and had a charge of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct dismissed, as per court records.
Cortez is also required to register as a sex offender.
The criminal indictment asserts that Cortez, who taught biology at AGAPE High School, initiated a conversation with an 18-year-old student in May 2022. The relationship took a wrong turn when the academic year commenced, and Cortez started teaching one of her classes.
The indictment adds that the student reported their interactions gradually shifted from friendly banter to flirtatious text and Snapchat exchanges, culminating in an agreement to meet after school in early December.
The criminal indictment says the two relocated to a parking ramp near Como Park, where they engaged in conversation in Cortez’s car. They both acknowledged the potential repercussions of their actions, specifically the risk to Cortez’s professional standing. Despite this, the inappropriate interaction persisted, leading to an encounter where Cortez exposed himself and received oral sex from the student, according to the indictment.
The indictment further states that the student expressed her reluctance to continue with Cortez after he exposed himself but felt intimidated. She reported feeling emotionally numb during the drive home and broke down in tears. They both agreed not to repeat the incident.
