DONNA – A former teacher assistant was arrested for sexual assault and improper relationship with a 16-year-old girl.

30-year-old Mark Webber Aguirre was a teacher assistant at M. Rivas Elementary in Donna.

Aguirre was charged with three counts of sexual assault, a 2nd degree felony, and one count of improper relationship with a student, also a 2nd degree felony offense.

According to the girl's mother, she found sexually explicit messages on her daughter’s phone from a man named Mark Aguirre through the Snapchat social media application.

After speaking with her daughter, she learned they began having a sexual relationship May of 2019.

On Tuesday Aguirre was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Jason Pena, and provided a $75,000 dollar bond for each count of sexual assault as well as a $100,000 bond for the charge of improper relationship between educator and student.

A spokesperson sent a statement to parents that reads:

“M. Rivas Elementary has been made aware of the recent arrest of a former teacher assistant. We want our community to know that the accused individual no longer works at our campus. We would also like to inform you that the allegation reportedly occurred elsewhere, outside of school grounds. None of our students were ever in any danger. Please know that the safety of our students is our number one priority.”

If you have any information about this case contact the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office at 956-383-8114.