Former Hewitt-Trussville band leader dies after being accused of sexual misconduct with a minor

By Chris Basinger, staff reporter

COMMERCE, Texas – Michael Guzman, a former Hewitt-Trussville High School band director who was recently accused of having a sexual relationship with a former student, has died.

The Tribune confirmed to Texas A&M University–Commerce, where Guzman worked as assistant director of bands, that President Mark Rudin announced Guzman’s death in an email to university students and staff on Friday.

His death came after a former Southwest Miami Senior High School student made a public Facebook post on Thursday accusing Guzman of sexual misconduct while serving as band director at the school between 2008 and 2011.

Jackie Rodriquez claimed that Guzman “raised” her when she was a student in a band and that their sexual relationship began when she was 15 years old.

“Like for many others, the band was my refuge and when I met him, he was exactly what I needed,” Rodriguez wrote.

“He got close to me and became a safe haven for my problems and gave me courage. He took full advantage of me and wanted to be my security.”

She reported messages he had sent her, some of which she published, and wrote that Guzman also had a “Folder containing nude and explicit images” of Rodriguez that his wife discovered during her senior year of high school.

Rodriguez also claimed that Guzman “coerced” her into signing a private loan with Sallie Mae so she could attend the University of Alabama, where he was pursuing a PhD, and posted screenshots of bank statements that appeared to show Guzman as a co-signer on the loan.

She further said that she had to repay nearly $40,000 by the time she graduated and that Guzman had asked her to pay off the loan before she graduated.

“I have broken the cycle of abuse and got my life back on track. With this, I ask for protection for other women who have been victims,” ​​Rodriguez wrote, saying she suffered for years from the trauma of her experience.

She continued, “I hate how this has affected me. I hate how this has affected me financially and that I paid for all of this on my own after what he did. I hate that he’s potentially still out there doing things without consequences.””

Shortly after Rodriguez made the original post, a GoFundMe was started in her name to “help Jackie reclaim the tuition money she was wrongfully forced to pay and to cover any legal fees she may incur in seeking justice.”

TAMUC President Rudin wrote in announcing Guzman’s death: “We understand that we are devastated by this news and the allegations against Mr. Guzman. We are committed to ensuring the safety, well-being and integrity of all members of our campus community and encourage members to come together to support one another during this time.”

He continued: “We understand that recent events have also caused distress and concern in our community regarding sexual abuse. Our condolences go out to all those affected by such reprehensible acts.”

From 2020 to 2023, Guzman served as band director at Hewitt-Trussville High School.

“Hewitt-Trussville High School and Trussville City Schools are saddened by the recent passing of former band director Michael Guzman,” Dr. Patrick, Superintendent of Trussville City Schools said Martin. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children.”

Martin said school officials are aware of the former Florida student’s recent allegations.

“It was brought to our attention that former students who were not at Trussville recently made allegations of sexual abuse against Mr. Guzman,” Martin said. “These allegations also did not come from TCS students and had nothing to do with his employment with our school system. However, when TCS learned of this, it immediately contacted our partners at the Trussville Police Department.”

Mr. Guzman submitted his resignation from HTHS in May 2023.

“At no time was any misconduct of a sexual nature brought to the attention of any TCS employee and this was not the reason for his resignation,” Martin said.

Martin said TCS stands ready to support all students regardless of circumstances and that he encourages students and their families, past or present, to come forward if they have experienced abuse.

The Tribune reached out to Southwest Miami Senior High School, but they did not immediately respond.

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Originally published on June 1, 2024 at 12:49