(Texas Scorecard) – A Fort Worth Independent School District teacher was arrested after he was caught sending sexually explicit messages to someone he believed was a minor.
Christopher Michael Rhodes, 44, worked as a science teacher at Young Men’s Leadership Academy in Fort Worth ISD.
Rhodes was booked into the Tarrant County Jail at the end of February following a month-long investigation.
A sting operation by online account DFW_Pedcatchers caught Rhodes sending sexually explicit messages via Instagram to someone he thought was a 14-year-old boy.
The messages included Rhodes writing, “Wanting daddy to make love to you huh,” and “Does it turn you on that a older guy wants to f*** you.”
When Rhodes was confronted about the messages, he claimed that he “did not know anything,” and that the account was not his.
Yet an Instagram account with the same user name as the one caught in the sting operation shows pictures of Rhodes in his science classroom.
Young Men’s Leadership Academy Principal Rodney White notified parents on January 29—the same day DFW_Pedcatchers released the footage—that a staff member had been placed on leave while police investigated.
“We would like to inform you about an incident involving a staff member of the Young Men’s Leadership Academy, who has been placed on leave. It has come to the District’s attention that a video may be circulating regarding this employee. The Benbrook Police Department is currently investigating the matter, and since this involves law enforcement, the District has limited information and is unable to disclose further details at this time,” wrote White.
According to state records, Rhodes’ teaching certificate is now under investigation by the Texas Education Agency.
Fort Worth ISD did not respond to Texas Scorecard‘s request for comment on whether Rhodes was still employed by the district.
Rhodes is the latest Texas teacher among hundreds to be accused of misconduct involving minors.