Mom arrested for posing as daughter at school to expose security flaws

Casey Garcia - broadcast screenshot (courtesy of ABC 13)

Mom arrested for posing as daughter at school to expose security flaws

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EL PASO, TX – A 30-year-old Texas mother was arrested under charges of criminal trespass and tampering with government records after posing as her daughter at her middle school. 

However, the accused woman claims to have been doing so in order expose the flaws in security when it comes to gaining access the interiors of her daughter’s school. 

A valiant effort to expose flawed security approaches, or mere hijinks that are deserving of criminal punishment?

That’s the current dilemma with respect to 30-year-old Casey Garcia, who authorities say successfully infiltrated Garcia Enriquez Middle School while posing as her daughter. 

Over the past two decades, the topic of school safety and security has been one that has concerned the likes of parents and Americans across the country. 

Ever since the Columbine High School massacre of 1999 and the numerous school shootings thereafter, there’s reasonable concern when parents ponder how safe their children’s school is. 

Recently, Casey Garcia decided to put campus security to the test at Garcia Enriquez Middle School in San Elizario.

This 30-year-old mother happens to stand 4’11 and weighs in at about 105 pounds, so her stature certainly wouldn’t seem out of place at a middle school. 

Garcia reportedly dyed her hair and filmed part of her exploits when gaining entry into the middle school. 

Casey Garcia in her daughter's class holding up her math notes - broadcast screenshot (courtesy of ABC 13)
Casey Garcia in her daughter’s class holding up her math notes – broadcast screenshot (courtesy of ABC 13)

She reportedly provided her daughter’s school ID number when signing into the school, and was apparently let in without issue.

Wearing a facemask while walking through the hallways, Garcia reportedly managed to make it through all of the morning and most of the afternoon before a teacher noticed something was awry. 

For context, she was able to attend every class, eat lunch in the cafeteria, and not be discovered until the sixth period class – the final class of the day. 

Ironically, Garcia was sent to the principal’s office after the charade was caught. 

Days after the endeavor, Garcia was paid a visit by some El Paso County Sheriff’s Office deputies who placed her under arrest for for criminal trespass and tampering with government records.

She bonded out shortly after being arrested, and the San Elizario Independent School District released a statement admitting that there was a breach that occurred at the middle school. 

The district superintendent has come forward and stated that security measures are being reviewed and updated in light of the recent breach. 

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In other news pertaining to alleged criminal exploits inside of schools, a school director in Colorado is accused of sexually assaulting over 60 undocumented students in Denver. 

Law Enforcement Today reported on the investigation earlier in June. 

Here’s that previous report. 

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DENVER, CO – Black Lives Matter activist and Denver Public School Board Director Tay Anderson will step back from everyday board duties during the investigation into claims he sexually assaulted dozens of students who were undocumented immigrants.

Mary Brooks Fleming, a mother of three students within the Denver Public School District, testified during a legislative committee at the state legislature saying a person in the district was sexually assaulting and targeting 62 children. She did not name the individual.

The district later confirmed in a statement that the individual being accused was Anderson.

Fleming testified some of the children were subjected to incidents ranging from unwanted touching to “violent acts of rape” by the employee and, in some case, asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

She testified that 61 of the victims lacked documentation or were recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program with the youngest child just 14-years-old.

“Individuals were coming to my home asking for medical attention. One was as young as 14 and needed stitches. All in all, 61 high school students and one recent graduates would turn to me for help.

“Sixty-two victims as young as 14! Sixty-one were undocumented or dreamers. All were so afraid of this one man.”

Brooks Fleming, a parent of three Denver Public School students, spoke to the state House Judiciary Committee during public testimony in support of legislation that would make it easier for victims to sue institutions who employ child sexual abusers

She said that the Director purposely targeted children who were undocumented to ensure they would not report the crimes:

“Those who came to my home didn’t have health insurance, couldn’t afford emergency rooms, and even if they could, they wanted to avoid mandatory reporters for fear that such an interaction could jeopardize their family.

“It is horrifying to realize that someone had preyed on these children, knowing their silence was guaranteed.”

Denver Public Schools acknowledged Friday night that its board and the Denver Police Department are aware of the sexual assault allegations.

Anderson was elected to the board in 2019. In a statement released on his Twitter account, Anderson denied the allegations:

“These unsubstantiated false allegations have caused a great deal of trauma to our entire district, and our students deserve better. The false claims have put my family and (me) in harm’s way and now, as a father and son, I must protect those I love first. Therefore, I will be stepping back from my everyday board functions until the completion of the independent investigation.

“I am confident the ongoing investigation will prove what I have said from day one and that is I have never sexually assaulted anyone. I look forward to returning in the coming months to continue the fight for Denver students.”

This is not the first time the Black Lives Matter activist has been accused of sexual assault. On March 26, Black Lives Matter 5280 came public with an allegation made by an unidentified woman that Anderson had sexually assaulted her in February.

In a statement released by the organization, BLM said:

“In late February, a woman came forward to BLM 5280 alleging that Director Tay Anderson is the perpetrator of her sexual assault. At the request of the alleged survivor, we are publicly sharing this information in hopes of ensuring her and all of our safety and well-being.

“At present, the alleged survivor only requests of Dir. Anderson are that he issue a public apology and seek help from a licensed professional with relevant expertise. The alleged victim’s requests are in alignment with restorative justice – one of our guiding values as a chapter.”

The Colorado High School Democrats of America called for his resignation.

In response, Anderson’s attorney, Chris Decker, issued a lengthy statement saying Anderson denied the allegations, and said that no specific details have been included in allegations, such as time and place.

The attorney’s statement also pointed out that neither Anderson nor his attorney have been contracted by law enforcement.

The statement continued:

“Director Anderson specifically denies any unlawful touching or assaults during his brief time as a teacher and since his election to the DPS Board. These acts never happened. Not a single child, parent, therapist, teacher, police officer, doctor, or individual has come forth to substantiate these incredible assertions.

“Director Anderson implores DPS counsel to respond immediately to Ms. Brooks Flemings allegations that DPS staff and legal counsel herself engaged in a criminal cover-up to include the use of nondisclosure agreements to silence dozens of victims who are current DPS students. Director Anderson has no knowledge of, or participation in, such a vile claim of silencing child sexual assault victims.

“The truth will be revealed and Director Anderson will be cleared of these poisonous and false claims.”

Denver police have said they spoke with Brooks Fleming, but have not yet spoke to Anderson.

Anderson was elected to the school board in 2019. He campaigned on a promise to incorporate the ideology of BLM into school policy.

Anderson made headlines in March after incorrectly claiming that a white person was the shooter.

On March 22, 2021, a mass shooting occurred at a King Soopers supermarket in Boulder, Colorado. Ten people were killed, including a local on-duty police officer. The alleged shooter, 21-year-old Ahmad Al Aliwi Al-Issa, a Syrian born naturalized U.S. citizen, was arrested after being shot in the right leg.

The day after he made the comments, he was forced to issue and apology on Twitter. In the apology, said he made the mistake because “Over the last decade a majority of these horrendous acts have been by white men, but I still refuse to give this murder notoriety.”

Although he stepped back from his day to day duties, he will continue to vote on school policy and hiring, according to the district.

The district also released a statement:

“It is critically important that all individuals feel safe and supported to participate in this process. We seek the truth and are committed to a fair and thorough process for all currently involved and anyone who is considering whether they should step forward.”

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About The Author

Gregory Hoyt is an I.T. Marketing and Sales professional based out in Sierra Vista, Arizona. While being a staunch and outspoken advocate of law enforcement and first responders, Gregory Hoyt also has the experience of having spent nearly 5 years in prison as well. Since then, he's used his unique perspective to offer support and commentary about the criminal justice system. When not working or combating bad ideas, Hoyt also leisurely studies economics, history, and law.

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