HOUSTON \u2013 As multiple Houston-area educators face allegations involving students or child sexual abuse material, new state data shows inappropriate relationship investigations have climbed dramatically across Texas schools.<\/p>\n
In just the past few weeks, school employees in Katy ISD, Cleveland ISD, Spring Branch ISD and former educators tied to Klein, Humble and New Caney ISDs have been arrested, charged or investigated over allegations involving students or child sexual abuse material.<\/p>\n
According to Texas Education Agency\u2019s Educator Misconduct Reporting dashboard, the agency has opened 441 sexual misconduct investigations so far in fiscal year 2026, compared to 303 investigations during fiscal year 2025, a nearly 50% increase.<\/p>\n
TEA data also shows \u201cinappropriate relationship\u201d investigations have more than doubled statewide this fiscal year, rising from 579 investigations in fiscal year 2025 to 1,465 investigations in fiscal year 2026.<\/p>\n
The agency recently launched expanded misconduct tracking tools and appointed Texas\u2019 first Inspector General for Educator Misconduct following pressure from lawmakers to strengthen oversight of school employees accused of misconduct involving children.<\/p>\n
Katy ISD aide accused of sexually assaulting 13-year-old student<\/p>\n
One of the most recent cases involves Samuel Ivan Perez, a former teacher\u2019s aide at West Memorial Junior High School in Katy ISD.<\/p>\n
Perez, 25, was arrested and charged earlier this month with online solicitation of a minor under 14, a second-degree felony.<\/p>\n
According to court documents, Katy ISD police began investigating after a 13-year-old student told a teacher in November 2025 that Perez sexually assaulted her.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Former Katy ISD paraprofessional accused of sexually assaulting 13-year-old student<\/a><\/p>\n Investigators said Perez exchanged sexually explicit messages and nude photos with the student through TikTok and Instagram beginning in summer 2025. The girl told investigators she and Perez had sex at least five times inside a classroom at the school in August and September.<\/p>\n Perez is no longer employed by the district.<\/p>\n Katy ISD said it takes allegations involving student safety \u201cextremely seriously\u201d and is cooperating with law enforcement.<\/p>\n Cleveland ISD employee charged<\/p>\n In Cleveland ISD, employee Ajante Desiree Denise Hill was arrested and charged with improper relationship between educator and student, a second-degree felony.<\/p>\n MORE INFO: Cleveland ISD confirms educator charged in student relationship case<\/a><\/p>\n District officials said Hill is no longer on campus or in contact with students.<\/p>\n \u201cStudent safety remains our highest priority,\u201d Superintendent Dr. Glenn Barnes said in a statement. \u201cThe district acted immediately upon receiving this information and continues to fully cooperate with law enforcement and all appropriate authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n Klein High football coach under investigation<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Harris County Sheriff\u2019s Office Special Victims Unit is investigating allegations that Klein High School head football coach Nick Codutti had an inappropriate relationship with a female student during his time at Tomball High School.<\/p>\n No criminal charges have been filed.<\/p>\n Investigators say the alleged victim attended Tomball High School between 2016 and 2020 and came forward earlier this month.<\/p>\n READ MORE: HCSO investigating Klein HS head football coach for alleged inappropriate relationship with Tomball HS student years ago<\/a><\/p>\n Klein ISD stated Codutti was directed to step away from campus after the district was contacted by an outside agency. Officials said the allegations predate his employment with Klein ISD and do not appear connected to Klein students or staff.<\/p>\n Tomball ISD and Lamar CISD also stated they had no prior reports or complaints involving Codutti during his employment in those districts.<\/p>\n Spring Branch ISD teacher charged with possessing CSAM<\/p>\n In Spring Branch ISD, Northbrook Middle School teacher Chandler Samuel Lee Price was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography, the term used in Texas law for child sexual abuse material.<\/p>\n Charging documents allege Price possessed video depicting the sexual assault of a child younger than 10 years old, making the offense a first-degree felony.<\/p>\n According to investigators, Price exchanged disturbing text messages with a co-defendant in Ohio discussing children and sexual abuse.<\/p>\n Spring Branch ISD stated law enforcement told the district there is no indication the alleged conduct involved SBISD students.<\/p>\n Former New Caney, Humble teacher arrested<\/p>\n Garrett Cross, a former theater arts teacher who worked in both New Caney ISD and Humble ISD, was recently arrested on a charge of indecency with a child by sexual contact.<\/p>\n Investigators say the allegation stems from Cross\u2019 time at Pine Valley Middle School in New Caney ISD and involves an incident that allegedly occurred more than five years ago.<\/p>\n