Dona Ana County Teacher Accused Of Threatening to Kill Girlfriend, Police Say

A Dona Ana County teacher has been arrested after his ex-girlfriend says he threatened to kill her and wouldn’t stop calling her.

He’s been charged with aggravated stalking and this isn’t the 31-year-old’s first brush with the law.

“I don’t trust my teachers very much anymore because of that,” Cromwell Morgan said, his confidence shaken by the criminal allegations against Samuel Lara.

He was around Morgan’s same age when he was first convicted of murder. According to Las Cruces police, in 1995 Lara stabbed his father in the throat while he was sleeping. Lara was 16, a minor whose records were kept private.

New Mexico court documents also show Lara was arrested for battery against a household member and breaking and entering in 2003. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 2 years probation. Court documents show the case was dismissed, but we were unable confirm why.

Then in january this year, lara was arrested for careless driving, driving with a suspended or revoked license and concealing his identity. lara pleaded not guilty. jury selection for this case is expected to begin next month.

This time around, lara was arrested for criminal trespassing and aggravated stalking.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim and Lara had recently broken up after a 4 year on again, off again relationship. The complaint also states the victim had a family member help get her things out of their home while Lara was at work at Chaparral High School.

According to Las Cruces police Tuesday afternoon his 27-year-old ex-girlfriend told officers she was afraid Lara would kill her, her parents and her children, including one who Lara fathered.

Authorities say the accused was at the woman’s home at the time and he was given a citation for criminal trespassing. Police say officers also helped the woman get an emergency restraining order against lara.

Shortly after, police were called to the house again. Police say Lara had called his ex 16 times. While an officer was speaking with the 27-year-old, Lara, police say, called 21 more times.

Gadsden district officials say he’s been a special education teacher at Chaparral High School for 3 years and has never had any complaints filed against him by students or parents.

Parents like Patricia Medina, now shocked by some serious accusations. “These are people who are supposed be role models, so they’re supposed to be good people. So if they’re going to be doing this, what can you expect from the students or anybody else?”

District officials say the state government conducts background checks and Lara passed his. He is now on paid administrative leave.