Oklahoma

Lawsuit reveals new details about Oklahoma teacher walkout leader’s sexting case

Published

2 months ago

March 8, 2024

Lawsuit reveals new details about Oklahoma teacher walkout leader’s sexting case

Jennifer Palmer
| Oklahoma Watch

Within three years, Alberto Morejon went from one of the most well-known and celebrated teachers in Oklahoma for his instrumental role in the teacher walkout to inmate number 877723, incarcerated for sexting one of his students beginning when she was 14.

Stillwater Public Schools, where Morejon taught from 2015 to 2020, recently settled a civil lawsuit brought by that student. The district has kept details of the agreement confidential.

School board members held a special meeting Nov. 6 to discuss the lawsuit and, following a closed session lasting more than an hour, voted to approve any resolution reached in mediation and to authorize the superintendent or district’s attorney to proceed as discussed in the executive session, records show.

The district’s records clerk said the district doesn’t have a copy of the agreement and neither does the school board. The district also doesn’t have any record of payment to the plaintiff or her attorney, indicating the district’s insurance will pay the settlement.

That lack of public information likely means the payout is less than $1 million, said Cameron Spradling, an Oklahoma City attorney who has represented the victims in several school abuse cases but does not represent the former Stillwater student.

“We’re never going to get rid of predators,” Spradling said, but pursuing civil lawsuits against schools is one way to hold enablers accountable, as well as help victims pay for counseling or therapy.

Oklahoma Watch is not naming the student because she is a victim of sexual abuse.

Public court records filed in the lawsuit shed new light on Morejon’s drastic and shocking fall from grace.

Reports of odd behavior as early as 2017

An attorney for the student argued that as early as the 2017-18 school year there were signs Morejon posed a danger to female students.

Students frequently gathered in his classroom during his lunch period; they were mostly girls, but also baseball players from the team he coached. According to deposition transcripts, colleagues took notice, occasionally remarking about what they called his harem or entourage. Students often bent school rules to bring him chocolate milk, his favorite.

Staff described that as odd, but “not odd enough to be crossing any lines,” Crystal Syzmanski, principal of Stillwater Junior High School, wrote in an internal memo in April 2021, nearly a year after Morejon’s arrest.

But he was crossing lines. Morejon allowed the student to sit behind his desk. He let her sleep there, during class. He entered grades for work she didn’t complete. When they talked, he sometimes touched her thighs.

And he started messaging her privately, first on Instagram, then on Snapchat, a social media platform that has a feature that makes messages disappear after they are read.

He started sending her sexually explicit photos, such as so-called imprint pictures of his boxer shorts covering his erect penis. And he asked her to send photos of herself, according to the lawsuit, filed Jan. 10, 2022, in federal court.

Morejon helped organize a statewide teacher walkout

Meanwhile, educators’ discontent with school funding and stagnant pay was building across the state. Whispers of a possible strike began to spread. About that time, Morejon created a Facebook group called “Oklahoma Teacher Walkout — The Time is Now!” in early 2018. Within days, the group swelled to 75,000 members.

By March, the group had galvanized teachers across the state. Soon, Morejon picked the walkout date: April 2. The Oklahoma Educators Association wanted to push it into May, allowing more time to organize. But Morejon’s date stuck.

On April 2, 2018, thousands of educators descended on the state Capitol for a demonstration that ultimately lasted 10 days. Morejon conducted interviews with national media outlets and stood alongside Oklahoma Educators Association officials at press conferences.

When the walkout ended, Morejon’s influence on education policy didn’t. He continued to lead the Facebook group, posting about legislation and political candidates, until 2020, when his social media accounts abruptly disappeared. The Facebook group, an online community for tens of thousands of educators, was handed off to Jami Cole, then a 5th-grade math teacher in Duncan.

News of Morejon’s arrest answered why he erased his public profile. His student had reported him to the police. Police confirmed his identity, in part, by the American Eagle brand boxer shorts the student said he always wore.

In a deposition taken July 25, Morejon declined to answer questions, citing his rights under the 5th Amendment, which protects people from self-incrimination, according to a partial transcript filed in the civil lawsuit.

A popular teacher

Stillwater Public Schools, like all others across the state, was not in session in June 2020, when Morejon resigned from his teaching position. But district leaders did little to investigate whether any other students were involved, the student’s attorneys alleged in her lawsuit.

One other student did come forward with a report to police on May 27, 2020. Prosecutors later dropped that case after the woman declined to cooperate.

Stillwater schools had in place a policy governing teachers’ social media use that prohibits inappropriate contact with students. It doesn’t prohibit staff from friending students on social media platforms but they aren’t allowed to send messages with sexual content.

Superintendent Uwe Gordon and Board Chairman Tim Riley declined to be interviewed. In court filings, attorneys argued the school district didn’t know Morejon maintained an inappropriate relationship with the student until after his arrest.

“The fact that Mr. Morejon was a popular teacher who had students — both males and females — coming in and out of his class on a regular basis is not the type of conduct to put the school district on notice that Mr. Morejon was sending sexually explicit messages to a student,” the district’s court filing states.

When the student returned to school, students ridiculed her for having reported Morejon; he had just been voted the students’ favorite teacher. She said in a court affidavit students harassed her online, and she felt targeted by staff, too. Her volleyball coach moved her from the varsity team to the junior varsity team, and her principal banned her from keeping an animal in the Future Farmers of America barn.

The school, in its response, said the student was disciplined for bringing a boy who decided to rope a chicken into a school barn but was not kicked out of the program.

She withdrew from the district in the fall of 2021.

Morejon pleaded guilty in 2021, released after two years

In the summer of 2021, Morejon pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual communication with a minor. A judge sentenced him to five years in prison, followed by five years of probation.

He was released from prison in May, after less than 2 years behind bars. A Department of Corrections spokeswoman said Morejon earned early release with credits for good behavior. He is required to register as a sex offender.

Oklahoma Watch attempted to reach Morejon while incarcerated and since his release, by phone and email. He has not responded.

Morejon is one of 50 educators stripped of their teaching licenses by the state Board of Education since 2020.

Several others have also drawn civil lawsuits against their districts.

Students sued Salina Public Schools over math teacher John Q. Horner III, alleging the school district allowed Horner access to children for years after learning he abused them, The Oklahoman reported. The school agreed to pay $2.6 million. The first $1 million will be paid by the district or another entity on its behalf, indicating it will come from insurance, and the rest will be paid over three years by the school.

Kingfisher Public Schools recently settled a lawsuit for $5 million over accusations of abuse and hazing in its football program. The student who sued described being beaten with wet towels, forced into locker room fights, shocked with a stun gun, forced to wear a urine-soaked helmet, hit during practice, and sexually assaulted, The Oklahoman reported.

The district will pay $1.25 million from its general fund and the remaining $3.75 million through ad valorem taxes over three years. The lawsuit wasn’t covered by liability insurance because the policy was insolvent then.

Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state.

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New Orleans Pelicans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: How to watch, schedule, live stream info, start time, TV channel

Published

6 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Press Room

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: How to watch, schedule, live stream info, start time, TV channel

3rd Quarter Report

The Thunder are on the road but looking no worse for wear. They have a bit of a cushion as they currently lead the Pelicans 85-69.

The Thunder entered the match having won seven straight and they’re just one quarter away from another. Will they make it eight, or will the Pelicans step up and spoil it? We’ll know soon.

Who’s Playing

Oklahoma City Thunder @ New Orleans Pelicans

Regular Season Records: Oklahoma City 57-25, New Orleans 49-33

Current Series Standings: Oklahoma City 2, New Orleans 0

How To Watch

When: Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Smoothie King Center — New Orleans, Louisiana
TV: TNT
Follow: CBS Sports App
Ticket Cost: $21.84

What to Know

The Thunder have enjoyed a six-game homestand but will soon have to dust off their road jerseys. On Saturday, they will fight it out against the New Orleans Pelicans in a Western Conference playoff matchup at 3:30 p.m. ET at Smoothie King Center. The Thunder are the slight favorite, but fans should be in for an exciting match likely to go down to the wire.

The Thunder will head into Wednesday’s game hoping to keep the good times rolling: they only won by two when they last took the court, which might have inspired the 32-point they dealt the Pelicans on Wednesday. Everything went the Thunder’s way against the Pelicans as the Thunder made off with a 124-92 win.

The Thunder’s win was the result of several impressive offensive performances. One of the most notable came from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 33 points along with five assists and two steals. Gilgeous-Alexander had some trouble finding his footing against the Pelicans on Sunday, so this was a step in the right direction. The team also got some help courtesy of Chet Holmgren, who scored 26 points along with seven rebounds and two blocks.

The Thunder are sitting pretty at the moment, as they lead the series with the Pelicans 2-0. Check back on CBS Sports after the game to see if the Thunder can extend their lead or if the Pelicans can make up some ground.

Odds

Oklahoma City is a slight 1-point favorite against New Orleans, according to the latest NBA odds.

The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 1-point spread, and stayed right there.

The oddsmakers are predicting a defensive showdown and set the over/under low at 209.5 points.

See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.

Series History

Oklahoma City has won 6 out of their last 10 games against New Orleans.

Apr 24, 2024 – Oklahoma City 124 vs. New Orleans 92
Apr 21, 2024 – Oklahoma City 94 vs. New Orleans 92
Mar 26, 2024 – Oklahoma City 119 vs. New Orleans 112
Jan 26, 2024 – Oklahoma City 107 vs. New Orleans 83
Nov 01, 2023 – New Orleans 110 vs. Oklahoma City 106
Apr 12, 2023 – Oklahoma City 123 vs. New Orleans 118
Mar 11, 2023 – Oklahoma City 110 vs. New Orleans 96
Feb 13, 2023 – New Orleans 103 vs. Oklahoma City 100
Dec 23, 2022 – New Orleans 128 vs. Oklahoma City 125
Nov 28, 2022 – New Orleans 105 vs. Oklahoma City 101

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Thunder Gameday: Oklahoma City Looks to Take First Road Game in New Orleans

Published

13 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Press Room

Thunder Gameday: Oklahoma City Looks to Take First Road Game in New Orleans

Following a dog fight throughout Game 1, Oklahoma City controlled things for nearly the entire contest in Game 2 over the Pelicans.

From just a two-point win to a 32-point blowout, it was quite the stark contrast between the two games for the Thunder, and it came on the offensive front.

Converting shots that weren’t able to fall and also getting a bit better looks from the field, the Thunder’s ability to shoot 48.3% from three on 29 tries and 59.0% overall elevated them to that level of play on Wednesday night, as well as a huge game from rookie Chet Holmgren.

Now headed to Bourbon Street for their first game in New Orleans in this series, Oklahoma City looks to close things outright in the next two games and head back home for some rest rather than a Game 5.

Apr 24, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17)

Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 1.5-point favorites against the Pelicans, and the total over/under is 209.5 points.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

Against a team on the road who has already proven their ability to rally and scrap throughout a full 48 minutes, Oklahoma City will surely look to get out ahead quickly and curb any possible momentum from accruing on the New Orleans side.

Limiting CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram as volume scorers will certainly be a point of emphasis as it has been so far in the series. But behind a home crowd and playoff environment, it’s more important on the road to diminish their confidence and lock them down while they can’t build a raucous crowd.

On the Oklahoma City side, another big game will be needed from Holmgren to minimize the impact of Jonas Valanciunas, both on the boards and as an interior scorer. From Game 1 to Game 2, Holmgren made a strong improvement on that front, cutting down his rebounding numbers from 20 to just seven between those two contests.

Lastly, a proficient shooting day should be in the works for Mark Daigneault’s squad if he hopes to take this first one on the road, as it was shown the impact it had on the outcome of Game 2. 3-point shooting from all around will be needed, like this team has shown it’s able to do.

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (57-25) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (49-33)

INJURIES:

Check out our live injury tracker, along with our game day injury report that will release later today.

WHEN:

Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 2:30 PM CT

LOCATION:

Smoothie King Center – New Orleans, LA

TV/RADIO:

Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

Live Stream: fuboTV (Start Your Free Trial)

FINAL WORD:

Oklahoma City will need to punch New Orleans in the mouth to begin this game on Saturday afternoon, and limit any chances of the Pelicans feeding off of a booming crowd.

The Thunder will hope to take Game 3 before looking for a possible sweep in Game 4 on Monday.

Want to join the discussion? Like Inside the Thunder on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Thunder news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.m

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Indiana Running Back Transfer Trent Howland Commits to Oklahoma State

Published

20 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Press Room

Indiana Running Back Transfer Trent Howland Commits to Oklahoma State

The Cowboys got a late-night commit.

Indiana transfer running back Trent Howland took a visit to Oklahoma State this week, and he apparently enjoyed it. Howland announced his commitment to the Cowboys in the waning hours of Friday night. A redshirt sophomore this past season with the Hoosiers, Howland is listed at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds and rushed for 354 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 2023. He should have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Howland was also considering Ole Miss, Duke and UCF, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Out of Joliet, Illinois, Howland was a three-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class. He chose Indiana over offers from Iowa State, Nebraska, Minnesota and others out of high school.

Howland entered the transfer portal in November and initially made a commitment to Minnesota before a change of heart. He then re-entered the portal in April — leading him to Stillwater.

He becomes the second portal running back the Cowboys have taken this offseason, joining Arkansas transfer AJ Green. Howland continues what has become a trend of the Cowboys going after big, bruising backs. Ollie Gordon is listed at 6-2, 215, and the Cowboys picked up Jaden Allen-Hendrix from the high school ranks, who OSU listed at 6-2, 225 on signing day.

Howland’s best performance of the past season came in a November game against Michigan State, where he rushed 19 times for 77 yards and a score. He also had a 13-carry, 72-yard performance against Illinois.

He played nine games for the Hoosiers during the 2022 season, playing both running back and linebacker, primarily playing special teams. That year, he rushed for 12 yards on only two attempts. As a true freshman in 2021, Howland carried six times for 20 yards, redshirting while playing three games.

Howland could provide a release valve for Gordon in the carry department. Gordon carried 285 times in 2023, the eighth-most in program history. Only Gordon and Chuba Hubbard have had 280 carries in a season at OSU since 1996. Lightening Gordon’s load was a topic Mike Gundy touched on earlier this spring.

“We have a lot of carries for another back,” Gundy said. “The 30 carry a game for Ollie is somewhat concerning. Perfect world would be 20 to keep him healthy throughout for us and his career. He had to carry the load last year, moreso than what we’d like. There’s enough carries to go around.”

Picking up Howland could also be a good move for the future. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining, and many early projections have Gordon as one of (if not the) top available running backs for next year’s NFL Draft. Green has just one season of eligibility remaining. So even past him potentially playing a role in 2024, grabbing Howland now could set the Pokes up nicely in 2025.

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