A former Reno middle school teacher will spend up to 50 years in prison after he pleaded no contest to sex-related charges.

Jose Flores-Montelongo was sentenced on three different counts of attempted child sexual assault and attempted lewdness with a child.

Officers with the Reno Police Department arrested Flores-Montelongo in April of 2022 following accusations of sexual misconduct with a former student. Following the arrest, a second victim came forward.

The initial victim disclosed that Flores-Montelongo had been grooming her before the abuse began, and that the abuse had taken place in the school's band room.

The abuse started when the victim was 12 and continued until she was in high school and turned 16.

The second victim reported that she was 13 when Flores-Montelongo engaged in "inappropriate touching" with her, also in the school's band room.

Flores-Montelongo will serve 50 years in prison with parole eligibility after 20 years have been served.

AUGUST 5, 2024:

A former Reno middle school teacher is expected to be sentenced next month after he pleaded no contest to sex-related charges. 

Jose Flores-Montelongo is scheduled to be sentenced on September 20 after a Washoe County Grand Jury initially indicted him on charges of sexual misconduct and abuse based on allegations made by two former students. 

Officers with the Reno Police Department arrested Flores-Montelongo in April of 2022 following accusations of sexual misconduct with a former student. Following the arrest, a second victim came forward.

(Washoe County District Attorney's Office)

UPDATE: MAY 3, 2022

A Washoe County teacher accused of child Sexual Assault has posted cash bail for $40,000.

Police say Jose L. Flores-Montelongo allegedly sexually assaulted a student several years ago. 

In an arraignment hearing on Monday, May 2, a judge set Flores' bail at $400,000 bondable or 10% ($40,000) cash.

According to court documents, Flores made that payment later that day.

His next appearance in court will be on July 5, 2022.

Flores' Defense team asked the court for an Own Recognizance Release with conditions which included supervision with Pretrial Services. 

Upon decision by the court, he will be under house arrest with an ankle monitor and can have no contact with the victim or any children under the age of 18 except for his own child. 

He also would not be allowed to go "where children frequent" and must have weekly check-ins with pretrial services. 

The Washoe County District Attorney's Office says they asked for Flores-Montelongo's bail to be set at $2 million but lost that argument.

In a second statement issued by the Washoe County School District on Friday, April 29, they say Jose Flores has been placed on emergency leave. 

Read the full statement from the school district:

The Washoe County School District (WCSD) has not been privy to the details of the criminal investigation and we are appalled by these allegations as reported in court documents and the news media. This alleged behavior is reprehensible and not representative of our employees, schools, or district. 

Immediately after being notified by law enforcement of these allegations, WCSD placed the employee on emergency leave and will continue to follow due process proceedings as required.

WCSD Counselors are available to support our students and staff as needed.

WCSD is fully cooperating with the Reno Police Department on their ongoing criminal investigation. As a reminder, anyone with information is urged to contact the Reno Police Department’s non-emergency line at (775) 334-2188. They can also contact Secret Witness by calling or texting a tip to (775) 322-4900 or secretwitness.com.

In a previous statement (below), the Washoe County School District said Flores is on administrative leave pending further investigation. 

Here's that initial statement from WCSD:

The Washoe County School District (WCSD) is aware of the arrest of a WCSD employee on April 26, 2022. Immediately upon learning of the arrest, the WCSD placed the employee on administrative leave pending further investigation.   

The WCSD is deeply concerned about the criminal charges alleged against the employee. The WCSD School Police are assisting the Reno Police Department with the investigation.

Flores was arrested earlier this week and charged with five counts of sexual assault of a child, two counts of lewdness with a child and sexual conduct between teacher and student.

In court documents obtained by KTVN 2 News, the victim claims they were sexually assaulted by Flores during a 4-year period from 2014 to 2018. 

The documents also revealed during an interview with police, Flores admitted to being with the victim after school on multiple occasions where the two "hugged" and where Flores may have kissed the victim on their forehead but denied having sex with the victim.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Reno Police Department's non-emergency line at 775-334-2188. You can also call or text your anonymous tip to Secret Witness at 775-322-4900.

As of April 27th, Flores was listed online as the orchestra director for Pine Middle School.

Pine Middle School screengrab