Texas elementary school secretary convicted of stealing more than $35K in school funds, setting fire at school

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A former secretary at a Houston, Texas, elementary school pleaded guilty this week to stealing more than $35,000 from the school, which she tried to hide by setting a small fire, prosecutors said.  

Adriana Castorena-Narvaez pleaded guilty Thursday of felony misapplication of fiduciary property in exchange for five years of felony probation and restitution to the Houston Independent School District (HISD) in the amount of $37,521.64, FOX Houston reported. 

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Castorena-Narvaez previously worked in the administrative office of C.E. Barrick Elementary School and stole the money over three years, prosecutors said. In October 2022, the principal questioned Castorena-Narvaez after becoming suspicious. 

 C.E. Barrick Elementary School in Houston, Texas. A former secretary at the school thousands in school funds, prosecutors said.   (Google Maps)

That morning, she started a small fire that caused minimal damage to the school in an effort to avoid meeting with her boss. 

Harris County Assistant District Attorney Robert Buss said his office “is committed to ensuring public funds are not misappropriated by government employees.”

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“This case brings a just result for the students, parents and teachers of C.E. Barrick Elementary,” he added. 

If Castorena-Narvaez fails to pay the money back, or violates any of the conditions of her probation, it can be revoked by a judge, and she can be sent to prison. The charge she was convicted of carries up to 10 years in prison.

Fox News Digital has reached out to HISD. 

Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to louis.casiano@fox.com.