Thursday, June 13, 2024

Update, The Dubuque Police Department was notified around noon on May 31, 2024, of allegations that Thomas Jefferson Middle School teacher Trent A. Paschal (DOB 07/27/99) of 955 Washington St. was involved in a sexual relationship with a 14-year old Dubuque Community School District student.

Interviews were promptly conducted by Dubuque Police Department School Resource Officers and Criminal Investigation Division investigators. During these interviews, officers learned Paschal and the student exchanged text messages and SnapChats of a sexual nature. It was also learned that on two occasions Paschal had picked up the student from the student’s neighborhood, then gone back to his residence where the two engaged in sex acts.

Traffic cameras and surveillance cameras were reviewed and showed Paschal picking the student up just before midnight on May 27, 2024, and the two driving to his apartment. They are also seen entering his apartment together, then leaving the apartment together.

Dubuque Police obtained forensic evidence which corroborated the allegations of sexual contact between Paschal and the student. On June 12, an arrest warrant was issued for Paschal for two counts of Third Degree Sexual Abuse. While Dubuque Police were attempting to serve this arrest warrant at Paschal’s apartment on June 12, a gunshot inside the apartment was heard by officers. After further attempts to speak with Paschal were unsuccessful, officers entered Paschal’s apartment and he was located deceased by an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.

The Dubuque Police Department strongly encourages any victims of sexual abuse to file a report with your local law enforcement agency. Anyone with information related to this investigation should contact Investigator Kurt Rosenthal at 563-587-3808 or krosenth@cityofdubuque.org.

---

Around 9:30 am, Dubuque Police Department members, including Patrol officers and Criminal Investigations Division investigators, tried to serve an arrest warrant at 955 Washington for a subject facing two counts of 3rd Degree Sexual Abuse. Upon approaching the door, officers heard a gunshot and took cover. A perimeter was set up, and nearby apartments and businesses were informed as a precaution. The police called in the Dubuque Police Tactical Entry Teams and used a department-owned remote-controlled robot to locate a person inside the apartment. Despite unsuccessful attempts to communicate verbally, officers entered the apartment and found an adult male who had died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The man was pronounced dead at the scene by a Dubuque Fire paramedic. Further details will be disclosed once the next of kin has been notified.

---