After several students claimed that their former Texas high school football coach had inappropriately touched or spanked them, a Texas police officer arrested him.
Lonnie Teagle (39), was arrested earlier this month after two girls reported that Teagle had spanked them and engaged in other acts of sexual harassment at Patricia E. Paetow high school in Katy, Texas. Teagle was a teacher there until last month.
Two unnamed 15-year-old girls told school administrators on October 11 that Teagle began harassing them in September, making inappropriate comments and then escalating to “inappropriate hugging.” Teagle would hug them and move his hands down to their buttocks, the girls claimed. They claimed that Teagle asked them to not report their fondling.
On September 5, four days later, the girls claimed that Teagle had pulled them both onto his lap at various times. Both girls claimed that Teagle pulled them each onto his lap at different times.
One of the girls claimed Teagle was erect near her at least once. She claimed that Teagle once touched her thighs, and she groped him on the outside of her clothes.
The most shocking incident, however, occurred two days later. Teagle, they claimed, ushered them into a different room at the school. According to court records, Teagle said that he would spank them while they were in the room. Teagle then allegedly bent the girls over his lap and spanked each of them three times. Teagle reportedly also asked Teagle’s girls if they enjoyed sex and if they had a belly button band.
The girls claimed that he had brought them food from Chipotle to make peace and they “formally apologized” for it on September 9. They stated that the molestations had ended at this point.
According to reports, Teagle’s behavior was reported by three more female students. Three students claimed Teagle made inappropriate comments and touched them in inappropriate ways, but they hesitated to report him due to his “high standing at the school.”
One of the victims’ mothers said that her daughter told her everything when she returned home. “The school never called my name. I was never told anything.”
Teagle, the head football coach, resigned in October due to “personal reasons,” according to a letter from the district.
Teagle was accused of making staff members uncomfortable with his inappropriate comments, touching, and mannerisms. Teagle was a teacher at Denton High School in Texas. Students also filed complaints against Teagle in Oct 2021. They claimed that Teagle made inappropriate comments about a girl’s breasts, and asked for back rubs from a group of female students.
The Katy Independent School District issued the following statement after his arrest:
“After many weeks of interagency investigation, the District was informed by Harris County District Attorney’s Office about the fact that it has taken down charges against Lonnie Teagle, a former football coach.” “All safety concerns are taken seriously by the District.” “Any allegation against a staff member is immediately reported to the District.” “Then, personnel from the District work quickly with law enforcement agencies and other agencies to complete a thorough investigation to ensure safety and well-being for all students.”
According to records, Teagle was charged with felony decency with a child as well as improper relations with a student. Teagle was released on $30,000 bail and will appear in court on February 28.
