Name Released: Dubuque Teacher Wanted in Sexual Abuse Case Commits Suicide

On June 12th, 2024, at approximately 9:30 am, officers from the Dubuque Police Department, including Patrol and Criminal Investigations Division units, attempted to serve an arrest warrant at 955 Washington Street. The subject was wanted for two counts of 3rd Degree Sexual Abuse. As officers approached the door, they heard a gunshot.

Officers immediately took cover and established a perimeter around the apartment. Nearby residents and businesses were notified as a precaution. Many area businesses including those in the Millwork District were put on a "lock-down." The Dubuque Police Tactical Entry Teams were called to the scene, bringing a remote-controlled robot to assist in the situation. The robot was deployed and successfully located a subject inside the apartment, but attempts to establish further verbal contact were unsuccessful.

Subsequently, officers entered the apartment and found an adult male deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. A paramedic from the Dubuque Fire Department pronounced the individual dead at the scene.

Original Story Posted on 6/12/2024

Additional information in this case has now been provided by Dubuque Police, including the name and pending charges in the service of this arrest warrant.

The Dubuque Police Department was notified around noon on May 31st, 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.

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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.

Local Police Contact Information:

• ID4PD Website
• Dubuque Police Department: 563-589-4410
• Call Dubuque's Emergency Communications Center (police dispatch), 563-589-4415
• Call Dubuque & Jo Daviess County Crime Stoppers, 563-588-0714 or toll-free at 800-747-0117

The Dubuque Police Department remains committed to ensuring public safety and will continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses.