A former middle school teacher in Texas has been sentenced to 33 years in prison after a jury convicted her of sexually abusing a 13-year-old student.
Adriana Rullan, 30, received the sentence from a Webb County jury after being found guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14.
Jurors also handed down a 10-year sentence for indecency with a child by sexual contact and a 13-year sentence for an improper relationship between an educator and a student. Those sentences will be served at the same time as the 33-year term. Rullan was also ordered to pay $20,000 in fines.
The conviction came after a two-day trial in the 341st District Court, where prosecutors called six witnesses and introduced dozens of pieces of evidence, including text messages, photographs and video recordings.
Adriana Rullan was sentenced to 33 years in prison after a Webb County jury convicted the former Texas middle school teacher of continuously sexually abusing a 13-year-old student. (District Attorney Webb/Zapata)
During the punishment phase of the trial, the victim, who was 13 when the abuse occurred, told jurors the ordeal had taken away his friendships, his sense of identity and nearly his life, according to KGNS.
His mother also spoke to the jury, saying her son has struggled with depression and anxiety because of Rullan’s actions. She described the deep emotional impact on their family and called Rullan manipulative, urging that she never be given the chance to hurt another child, KGNS reported.
According to the Webb County District Attorney’s Office, jurors deliberated for less than two hours before returning guilty verdicts.
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Gonzalez Middle School in Laredo, Texas, where former teacher Adriana Rullan worked before she was convicted of sexually abusing a 13-year-old student. (Google Maps)
According to the district attorney’s office, the investigation began Nov. 27, 2023, after the victim’s parents contacted the United Independent School District Police Department with allegations of an inappropriate relationship between a student and a teacher at Gonzalez Middle School in Laredo.
A forensic examination of the victim’s cellphone recovered electronic communications documenting the relationship and provided significant evidence supporting the charges, a spokesperson for the Webb County District Attorney’s Office told People.
Rullan was arrested the following month and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Gonzalez Middle School in Laredo, Texas, where Adriana Rullan taught before her arrest in December 2023. (Google Maps)
It was not immediately clear whether Rullan intends to appeal.
News Agency reached out to the Webb County District Attorney’s Office for additional comment and court records and the United Independent School District for comment but did not immediately receive responses.
