In a release, the Dubuque Police Department said the relationship between Trent Paschal, a teacher at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, and a 14-year old student was reported to police late last month.
Through interviews, school resource officers and investigators learned that Paschal and the student had been texting and SnapChatting. Traffic cameras showed the 24-year old teacher picking up the student and driving them to his apartment on Washington Street in Dubuque last month. It also showed them entering and leaving his apartment together. Police say they obtained forensic evidence as well.
On Wednesday, an arrest warrant was issued for two counts of third-degree sexual abuse. According to police, while officers were attempting to serve the arrest warrant, they heard a gunshot inside the apartment and found Paschal dead from a self-inflicted gunshot.
Anyone with information related to this investigation can call investigators at 563-587-3808.
