News Summary
Anthony Caldiero, a former employee of the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for multiple child sex crimes. His hiring process, which returned no disqualifying results despite ongoing legal issues, has prompted investigations into background check procedures. The incident raises serious concerns over the safety protocols for staff working with children in schools. As the district grapples with the implications of this case, questions about the effectiveness of employee vetting processes come to the forefront.
Starkville, Mississippi – Anthony Caldiero, a 48-year-old former employee of the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District (SOCSD), has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after being convicted of multiple child sex crimes. The charges against Caldiero include statutory rape, two counts of sexual battery, and one count of touching a child for lustful purposes, with victims as young as 12 years old. His employment with SOCSD ended on June 30, 2023, shortly after the sentencing verdict.
Caldiero, who was also known by the name AJ Vega, worked for the district as an assistant wrestling coach starting in October 2020. It was during this period that he was under indictment for child sex charges, a fact unknown to the school officials at the time of his hiring. SOCSD representatives confirmed that the standard hiring protocol was followed, including conducting a criminal background check that returned no disqualifying results.
The background check process involved fingerprinting Caldiero and submitting his information to the state Criminal Information Center (CIC). The process then included additional checks through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Officials from SOCSD stated that no red flags were raised despite Caldeiro’s ongoing legal issues. This lack of flagged charges has prompted an investigation into potential errors in the booking process by the Webster County Sheriff’s Office.
Webster County Sheriff’s Office arrested Caldiero in November 2021, leading to his indictment in May 2022. Chief Deputy Andrew Banks indicated that the arrest should have shown up in the background checks, raising questions about the accuracy of the reporting system at the time. There have been changes in jail administration and procedures since Caldiero’s initial arrest, complicating the investigation into the discrepancies in the background check process.
After serving as assistant wrestling coach, Caldiero transitioned to a tech support specialist for SOCSD in July 2023. This change occurred just days before his sentencing, resulting in his employment termination shortly after. Despite the grave allegations against him, the hiring and monitoring processes followed by SOCSD at the time of recruitment did not reveal anything to indicate Caldiero’s criminal history. Officials emphasized that they had no knowledge of any pending charges against him during his employment.
The case has raised significant concerns regarding the effectiveness of background checks conducted for school employees. The SOCSD has faced scrutiny in light of this incident and while officials confirmed adherence to existing hiring protocols, they indicated no plans to alter the protocols going forward. The communication director for SOCSD reiterated that the established procedures had produced clear results at the time of Caldiero’s hiring.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring thorough vetting of individuals working with children in educational environments. Stakeholders have raised concerns about the implications of such cases on the safety and welfare of students within the school district. As investigations continue into the background check reporting process, the focus remains on enhancing protective measures and ensuring that similar oversights do not occur in the future.
The community of Starkville now faces the difficult task of grappling with the consequences of Cerrido’s actions and the systemic flaws that allowed this incident to take place. With questions lingering about the effectiveness of background checks and employee screening processes, the safety of students remains a paramount concern for parents and school officials alike.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Former Starkville School District Employee Sentenced for Child Sex Crimes
Additional Resources
- Starkville Child Sex Crimes Case – cdispatch.com
- Google Search: Starkville Child Sex Crimes
- Gun Found in Student’s Bag – wtva.com
- Wikipedia: Child Exploitation
- Sexual Battery Accusation in Starkville – wcbi.com
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Abuse
- Starkville Man Charged with Sexual Battery – wcbi.com
- Google News: Starkville School District
Author: STAFF HERE STARKVILLE WRITER
The STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREstarkville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash, and Mississippi State University homecoming celebrations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plus leading businesses in education and agriculture that power the local economy such as Mississippi State University and Starkville Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
