LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — "How did he get hired?" That was the question one parent asked outside Chapparal High School when told of details released about the investigation into Lawrence Winston.
Clark County School District police wrote a records check through dispatch that showed Winston had a prior arrest for rape, two separate battery on spouse charges, multiple traffic offenses and outstanding traffic warrants.
The report went on to detail accounts from two female students who said Winston kissed them on the neck, made inappropriate comments towards them and sexually touched them.
For his part, detectives say Winston consistently denied having any inappropriate physical contact with any students and stated the students were infatuated with him and that's why they were making the allegations.
When it comes to his hiring, Winston was working as a contracted Safe School Profession through a company called Progressus Therapy.
A spokesperson for the company sent a statement regarding Winston's arrest:
“Mr. Winston was terminated immediately upon his arrest. As per Progressus Therapy’s company policy, a criminal background and sex offender check was completed before his employment. Staff are not permitted to begin any assignment until they are cleared by both Progressus and the district. The safety of students is our utmost priority, and we will continue to work in cooperation with CCSD as they support local authorities in the investigation.”
The Clark County School District is also responding to inquiries about background checks with this statement:
"District staff run background checks on all employees before they are hired and we will not hire convicted felons. We cannot comment on ongoing law enforcement investigations
or information in individual employee files."
Winston was still shown in custody at the Clark County Detention Center as of Friday afternoon where he is being held on $150,000 bail.
Records show he is due in court on March 19 for a preliminary hearing.
