A Garland Independent School District middle school band teacher has been fired after a viral video apparently showed him attempting to meet up with a minor at 2 a.m.
The video, titled “Middle School Teacher Comes to Meet 14 Y/O at 2 AM, Meets Military Dad Instead,” was posted on July 20 by a YouTuber named Cassady Campbell. The viral video has gained over 139,000 views.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIU5sDBywxk
The teacher was confronted by the minor’s father, who read a text exchange between the teacher and the child. In one text message, the minor reportedly told the teacher that he could not drive because he was 14 years old and had to wait another two years to get his license.
The teacher appears to admit in the video that he wanted to do something inappropriate with the minor.
Classical Center at Brandenburg Middle School’s administrators confirmed the video’s existence and revealed that they had fired the teacher.
“GISD aggressively investigates and responds to all reports of educator misconduct and cooperates fully with law enforcement regarding possible criminal activity,” the school’s principal, Randy King, wrote in a letter to parents. “Employees who are found to have engaged in inappropriate conduct with a student or minor are terminated, reported to the Texas State Board of Educator Certification, and placed on the ‘Texas Do Not Hire Registry,’ in accordance with House Bill 3.”
King asked parents who might know of other potential victims to immediately contact him at [email protected] or Garland ISD Title IX Coordinator Dr. Susanna Russell at [email protected].
The Allen Police Department said it has begun investigating the case because the incident occurred within its jurisdiction, according to CBS 11 News.
However, since the video was uploaded to the social media site by a “self-proclaimed prankster,” the department warned the public about the dangers of operating To Catch a Predator-type investigations.
“Law enforcement officials are the only ones qualified to conduct these kinds of investigations,” said Allen police. “Having gone through specific and extensive training, these officials are familiar with proper techniques in collecting and preserving evidence that is vital in the prosecution of these kinds of cases. Law enforcement officials must ensure that these types of investigations are conducted objectively, professionally, and with respect to the rights of all involved.”
Allen police added that citizen sting operations could be dangerous, sometimes leading to serious injury or death to those conducting the sting, innocent bystanders, or the individual they intend to confront or “catch” in the act of committing a crime.