Charges dropped against former Roma teacher

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October 6, 2008 - 11:49 AM

The Monitor

RIO GRANDE CITY -- Two years after he was indicted, charges against a former Roma High School spanish teacher were dropped today.

The prosecutor filed a motion to dismiss the charge of felony unlawful restraint against Jose Ramos because of insufficient evidence.

The former Roma High School Spanish teacher resigned in February 2007 amid accusations that he had confined two teen girls in his classroom.

School district police said Ramos told the girls they would be arrested for engaging in witchcraft and casting a spell on a fellow teacher if they left the room.

Ramos said he was protecting the cousins from fellow students who had accused one, then 14, of causing another teacher's illness. He maintains that the school's administration knew where the girls were and had approved of his decision.

He has been unable to get a job teaching while under indictment for the felony charges, said his attorney, Rey Merino.

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