SAN ANTONIO -- It took a jury nearly four hours to find Army Master Sgt. (Ret.) Fred Casanova guilty on two counts alleging improper relationship between educator and student and indecency with a child.

The veteran soldier was also found guilty on counts of attempting an improper relationship between educator and student and indecency with a child. Casanova, an ROTC Instructor at East Central High School for 12 years, had no visible reaction to the verdict.

Two female cadets testified during the trial that the retired Casanova touched them in an improper manner and that he made sexually suggestive remarks to them. They said it happened at the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year.

During the punishment phase of the trial, Casanova’s supporters, who filled the courtroom for the reading of the verdict, testified that the veteran soldier was a “decent, honorable man” who deserved probation.

Casanova is facing a punishment range of two to 20 years in prison, but he is eligible for probation. Closing arguments and jury deliberations in the punishment phase of the trial are set for Monday.