Hopkins school employee charged with sexual assault
HOPKINS, Minn. (KMSP) - An employee at a Hopkins school has been charged with two counts of felony second degree criminal sexual conduct, according to Hopkins police.
David Joseph Madrigal, 54, is in custody at Hennepin County Jail. Officials say the alleged conduct happened at Eisenhower Elementary School.
According to the criminal complaint, school counselors at the school received an anonymous letter that said Madrigal, a student support specialist at the school, was touching sixth grade students in a way that was scaring them.
School leaders later identified the students in the letter and removed Madrigal from the school. School officials say he is currently on administrative leave and has a no contact order banning him from school grounds.
After searching his office, they found post-it notes in his desk with login information and passwords to websites like "Flirty Desires," "Screw Locals" and "Insta Cuties." Officials also found several adult sites in his browser history on his school-issued computer. The BCA is now investigating his computer.
Several girls told officers Madrigal would rub their shoulders, arms, and thighs, touch their lower backs as well as look them up and down, comment on their appearance and give them candy.
The students said the behavior made them feel uncomfortable and they saw Madrigal touching other students.
Two girls, a 12-year-old and a 10-year-old, both described similar encounters with Madrigal. Each girl told police he would punish them by locking them alone with him in his office. During that time, he would move the girl's hair out of her face and tell her she was pretty. Madrigal would then touch the girl's upper thigh close to her private area.
The 12-year-old victim told police Madrigal started touching her last year when she was in fifth grade.
Madrigal also previously worked at Minneapolis Public Schools as a special education assistant from October 2005 to July 2014, where he resigned after coming to work intoxicated and using profanity at a student. He received a five-day suspension and resigned in lieu of being fired.
Hopkins police arrested Madrigal at his apartment on Friday.
Madrigal is scheduled to appear in Hennepin County Court on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
Hopkins Schools statement
"The health and safety of our students is the number one priority of Hopkins Public Schools. We are deeply concerned about these unsettling allegations and how they may have impacted our students and our community. We will continue to work with the Hopkins Police Department to insure a safe learning environment for all students. If families have additional information, we encourage them to contact the Hopkins Police.
"On Thursday, April 6, our District was made aware of a complaint brought forward by students regarding a paraprofessional staff member at Eisenhower Elementary. The District responded to the complaint immediately and worked in partnership with the Hopkins Police Department. During the investigation, the employee was placed on administrative leave and a no-trespass/no contact order was issued banning the employee from school grounds and prohibiting contact of Hopkins students and staff. Data privacy laws prohibit us from making further comments."