(Texas Scorecard) – Another Texas educator was arrested for sexually assaulting a child.
Justin Wade Esquell, 49, is accused of sexually abusing his victim over a period of four years, starting when the child was under the age of 14 years.
Esquell worked as a teacher and coach at Robert Lee Independent School District for more than 10 years, starting in April 2014. His wife also teaches in the district.
He allegedly abused the child from March 2020 until October 2024.
According to San Angelo Live, Esquell was indicted on a charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, a first-degree felony punishable by 25 to 99 years in prison.
Superintendent Aaron Hood has not yet responded to a request for comment on Esquell’s arrest or whether the alleged victim was a student in the district.
State records show Esquell received his Texas teaching certificate in 1999, and he is currently certified to teach vocational agriculture, math, and social studies.
Esquell previously worked as a football coach and athletic director at Water Valley ISD in Tom Green County.
The arrest warrant was issued by Coke County, where Robert Lee ISD is located. The Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest.
Esquell was booked into the Tom Green County Jail on January 16 and released the same day on a $150,000 bond.
The district clerk’s office told Texas Scorecard on Tuesday that Esquell had not yet appeared before a magistrate judge.
Esquell is the fifth Texas school employee arrested this month for sexually assaulting a child.
— Celina ISD bus monitor Timothy Adams was arrested January 13 and charged with indecency with a child by sexual contact and improper relationship between educator and student.
— Longview ISD teacher and coach D’Marjai Dearion was arrested January 15 and charged with sexual assault of a child.
— Bartlett ISD teacher and coach Charles Poling was also arrested January 15 for sexual assault of a child and improper relationship between educator and student.
— Martial arts instructor and Conroe ISD substitute teacher Stephen Zarruk was arrested January 17 and charged with indecency with a child by sexual contact.
Texas Scorecard has covered hundreds of educators charged with sex crimes involving students and other children.