CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Editor's Note: This article has been updated to include additional details from an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by KRIS 6 News.
A Corpus Christi Independent School District employee was arrested Tuesday and charged with second-degree felony sexual assault of a child, according to the Corpus Christi Police Department.
Corey Bellino, 51, a Career and Technical Education teacher and head wrestling coach at Mary Carroll High School, was taken into custody during a traffic stop at State Highway 44 and Rand Morgan Road by CCPD patrol and gang unit officers. He is being held in the Nueces County Jail on a $1.5 million bond.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by KRIS 6 News, detectives with the CCPD Special Victims Unit began investigating after a Corpus Christi police officer initiated a report on Aug. 3, 2026, from a female victim. The former student, who was a member of the school's wrestling team, alleged that the abuse began when she was 15 years old and a sophomore, the affidavit states.
The victim told detectives she had been undergoing therapy and was encouraged by her therapist to report the alleged incidents to police, according to the affidavit. A detective conducted an in-person interview with the victim on Aug. 4, 2026.
The victim alleged the abuse escalated during her junior year, when she was 16, and described a specific incident that occurred at the Carroll High School campus in the storage locker room of the mat room area, the affidavit states. The victim estimated the alleged abuse occurred approximately 20 times, according to the document.
The affidavit also notes a separate CCISD Police report filed in 2022 in which another former public school student made a sexual allegation against Bellino. In that case, the affidavit states, Bellino was a CCISD Police Officer and allegedly contacted a student and had sexual relations with the student while a relationship between them continued. That investigation determined the statute of limitations had expired for the offense of improper relationship between an educator and student, according to the affidavit.
Detectives also took statements from multiple people, including former students and adults, who said they suspected inappropriate behavior between Bellino and the victim during the time in question, the affidavit states.
According to the affidavit, Bellino is a military veteran, an experienced wrestler and coach trained in other martial arts, and was recently an active and licensed Texas State Peace Officer with access to firearms. The document also notes documented police reports of Bellino using violence outside of school and at school.
When contacted by detectives, Bellino said he was already represented by an attorney and referred them to his attorney's office, the affidavit states.
Bellino had been on administrative leave since Aug. 10, 2026, and had not been on school property, Carroll High School Principal Dr. Jenifer Guerra-Leos said in a letter to staff and families Tuesday.
The district will recommend to the CCISD Board of Trustees that Bellino's contract be terminated, Guerra-Leos wrote. Under Texas law, the employee has 15 days to request a review of the decision. The district is also reporting the matter to the Texas Education Agency, as required by law.
School counselors and a crisis counseling team are available to meet with students who need support, according to the letter.
According to police, this is an "active and ongoing investigation and detectives are continuing to attempt to identify additional witnesses or victims."
Anyone with information is asked to contact CCPD at 361-886-2840. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or online. The Corpus Christi Police Department's non-emergency tipline can also be reached at 361-886-2600.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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