{"id":422501,"date":"2026-09-01T04:26:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T04:26:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/422501\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T04:26:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T04:26:14","slug":"andrews-isd-teacher-charged-with-soliciting-a-minor-for-sex","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/422501\/","title":{"rendered":"Andrews ISD Teacher Charged With Soliciting a Minor for Sex"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A high school teacher in the Andrews Independent School District was charged with soliciting a minor for sex. In unrelated misconduct incidents, three past district teachers are under investigation and another was put on leave.<\/p>\n<p>Christopher Leggett Cleveland was arrested Friday, August 28, on a charge of <a href=\"https:\/\/statutes.capitol.texas.gov\/?tab=1&amp;code=PE&amp;chapter=PE.33&amp;artSec=33.021\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">online solicitation of a minor<\/a>, a third-degree felony.<\/p>\n<p>Cleveland is an <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Cleveland-staff-directory.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">ag science teacher<\/a> at Andrews High School.<\/p>\n<p>Andrews ISD released a <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Cleveland-ISD-statement-8-28-26-scaled.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">statement<\/a> Friday indicating that Cleveland was taken into custody on campus and that the district\u2019s internal police department was handling the matter.<\/p>\n<p>The Andrews ISD Police Department also released a <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Cleveland-AISD-PD-statement-8-28-26-scaled.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">statement<\/a> confirming Cleveland\u2019s arrest.<\/p>\n<p>According to Chief Daryl Cunningham, his department arrested Cleveland on an outstanding warrant issued in connection with an investigation in Arlington, Texas, after being contacted by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force.<\/p>\n<p>Cunningham directed requests for additional information to the Arlington Police Department.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe safety and security of our students, staff, and the entire Andrews ISD community remain our highest priority,\u201d added Cunningham.<\/p>\n<p>Cleveland was <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Cleveland-jail-record-scaled.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">booked<\/a> into the Andrews County Jail on August 28 and <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Cleveland-jail-record-bond-scaled.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">released<\/a> the next day on a $50,000 bond.<\/p>\n<p>Andrews ISD is a <a href=\"https:\/\/txschools.gov\/?view=district&amp;id=002901&amp;tab=overview&amp;lng=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">six-school district<\/a> in West Texas near Midland-Odessa.<\/p>\n<p>Online <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Cleveland-work-history-scaled.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">records<\/a> show that over the past decade Cleveland previously worked for three other West Texas districts\u2014Whiteface CISD, Plains ISD, and Seagraves ISD\u2014and for East Central ISD in San Antonio.<\/p>\n<p>Cleveland has been <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Cleveland-SBEC.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">certified<\/a> to teach vocational agricultural production since 2005.<\/p>\n<p>Additional Investigations<\/p>\n<p>On the same day of Cleveland\u2019s arrest, Andrews ISD officials also announced they had been investigating another district employee over a \u201csituation that occurred during the summer months\u201d involving a just-graduated student.<\/p>\n<p>Chief Cunningham <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Harper-AISD-PD-statement-8-28-26-scaled.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">stated<\/a> that district administrators learned about the allegations on August 17 and \u201cpromptly\u201d notified the Andrews ISD Police Department \u201cto review the information provided and determine whether further investigation was warranted.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>On August 28\u201411 days after the initial misconduct allegations were reported to district officials\u2014Cunningham stated that \u201cthere has been no evidence identified that supports a belief that a criminal offense was committed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The district also released an August 28 \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Harper-ISD-statement-8-28-26-scaled.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">update<\/a>\u201d stating that the employee had been <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Harper-On-Leave-8-25-26.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">placed on leave<\/a> during the investigation, but the district \u201cfound no evidence that any inappropriate conduct or relationship occurred while the individual was enrolled as a student.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>At this time law enforcement has advised the District that no criminal investigation or legal action is warranted. Based on the District\u2019s investigation, there is no evidence of conduct involving a student that would require a report under applicable Texas educator-misconduct reporting requirements.<\/p>\n<p>However, an educator misconduct reporting law known as <a href=\"https:\/\/capitol.texas.gov\/BillLookup\/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&amp;Bill=SB571\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Senate Bill 571<\/a>, which took effect in June 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/tea.texas.gov\/taa-letters\/required-misconduct-reporting-and-notices-sb-571-and-liability-public-schools-and\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">requires suspected sexual misconduct to be reported<\/a> to authorities within 24 hours of first learning about the concern and to the Texas Education Agency within 48 hours.<\/p>\n<p>The law also broadened the types of misconduct that must be reported to include boundary violations and inappropriate communications.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/tea.texas.gov\/educators\/investigations\/educators-duty-protect-students\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">TEA specifically instructs<\/a> that school staff \u201cmust not try to confirm or rule out abuse before reporting \u2026 When in doubt, report.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In addition, school district police departments are specifically excluded from the list of qualifying law enforcement agencies recognized for reporting purposes.<\/p>\n<p>Andrews ISD <a href=\"https:\/\/www.andrewscountynews.com\/issues\/2026-01-13\/pages\/1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">established its own police department<\/a> in early 2026 after school board members approved the move in November 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Local families know the identity of the teacher who was under investigation. His teaching certification confirms district officials did not report him to the TEA, but parents say they may <a href=\"https:\/\/tea.co1.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_cTQhQQ0A0uN3FmS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">submit complaints<\/a> directly.<\/p>\n<p>Three other educators who left Andrews ISD in spring 2026 are under investigation by the TEA.<\/p>\n<p>John David Carranco, 43, had <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Carranco-GovSalaries-scaled.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">worked<\/a> for Andrews ISD for more than a decade, as a teacher, principal, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.andrewscountynews.com\/issues\/2023-02-19\/pages\/3\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">most recently<\/a> the district\u2019s Director of Student Services. Carranco is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oaoa.com\/local-news\/a-passion-just-to-serve-carranco-leads-as-both-principal-and-pastor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">pastor<\/a> at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.impactcity.cc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Impact City Church<\/a> in Odessa.<\/p>\n<p>Carranco\u2019s Texas <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Carranco-SBEC2-scaled.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">teaching certificate<\/a> is \u201cunder review\u201d by the TEA\u2019s Educator Investigations Division.<\/p>\n<p>Coach Ashley Dyches, 36, was <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Dyches-leaving-May-2026-scaled.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">hired by Gregory-Portland ISD<\/a> last school year to be the <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Dyches-GPISD-staff-listing-scaled.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">head high school volleyball coach<\/a>. Dyches\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Dyches-SBEC-scaled.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">certification<\/a> is also under review by the TEA.<\/p>\n<p>Haley Jean Morgan, 33, had <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Morgan-GovSalaries.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">taught<\/a> in Andrews ISD since the 2020-21 school year. State <a href=\"https:\/\/tealprod.tea.state.tx.us\/ECOS-External\/EcosOnline\/VirtCert\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">records<\/a> show Morgan does not hold a Texas teaching certificate. She now works as an elementary school <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Morgan-Seminole-staff-listing-scaled.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">special education teacher in Seminole ISD<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Carranco-DNHR-scaled.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">Carranco<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Dyches-DNHR-scaled.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">Dyches<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andrews-ISD-Morgan-DNHR-scaled.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">Morgan<\/a> are all three listed as \u201cunder investigation\u201d in the state\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/tealprod.tea.state.tx.us\/ECOS-External\/DNH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Do Not Hire Registry<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Misconduct that does not violate criminal law may still run afoul of the <a href=\"https:\/\/texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com\/rules-and-meetings?$locale=en_US&amp;interface=VIEW_TAC_SUMMARY&amp;queryAsDate=08%2F31%2F2026&amp;recordId=229013\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Texas Educators Code of Ethics<\/a>. Violating the code\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com\/rules-and-meetings?$locale=en_US&amp;interface=VIEW_TAC_SUMMARY&amp;queryAsDate=08%2F31%2F2026&amp;recordId=192645\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">enforceable standards<\/a> can result in <a href=\"https:\/\/tea.texas.gov\/educators\/investigations\/educator-misconduct-investigations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">disciplinary action<\/a> including loss of teaching credentials.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">One parent told Texas Scorecard she reached out directly to an Andrews ISD school board member regarding the district\u2019s \u201cdismissed\u201d investigation, but her concerns were also dismissed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">She said district police concluded no criminal investigation was warranted because \u201cdating an adult graduate\u201d is not a crime. But she noted it is still a \u201cmassive\u201d Code of Ethics violation \u201cif the relationship was groomed or initiated before graduation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Andrews ISD families with questions or concerns may contact <a href=\"https:\/\/www.andrews.esc18.net\/district1\/superintendent-dr-azam\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Superintendent Bobby Azam<\/a> and\/or their elected <a href=\"https:\/\/www.andrews.esc18.net\/district1\/board-of-trustees\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">school board members<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In the past few years, hundreds of Texas school employees have been <a href=\"https:\/\/texasscorecard.com\/tag\/bad-apples\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">accused of sex crimes<\/a> involving students and other children, and thousands have been <a href=\"https:\/\/texased911.com\/misconduct.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">reported<\/a> to the TEA for sexual misconduct.<\/p>\n<p>The TEA\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/tea4avcastro.tea.state.tx.us\/edconduct\/reporting.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Educator Misconduct Reporting Dashboard<\/a> shows the agency is currently investigating more than 2,700 sexual misconduct complaints and opening an average of 250 new cases each month.<\/p>\n<p>                    <img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/erin-writer-150x150.jpg\" class=\"avatar avatar-150 photo\" height=\"150\" width=\"150\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>                <\/p>\n<p>\n                        Erin Anderson is a Senior Journalist for Texas Scorecard, reporting on state and local issues, events, and government actions that impact people in communities throughout Texas and the DFW Metroplex. A native Texan, Erin grew up in the Houston area and now lives in Collin County.                    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A high school teacher in the Andrews Independent School District was charged with soliciting a minor for sex.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":422502,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[150,152,151,127763,1563],"class_list":["post-422501","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arlington","tag-arlington","tag-arlington-headlines","tag-arlington-news","tag-bad-apples","tag-public-education"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=422501"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422501\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/422502"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=422501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=422501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=422501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}