A Texas man who previously coached high school football in Denton ISD in 2021 is accused of touching at least five girls inappropriately and spanking two at another Texas school district.
Lonnie Teagle was fired from Patricia E. Paetow High School in Harris County last month after he was arrested on two felony charges related to the alleged behavior, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (FWST).
Law enforcement in the Katy Independent School District (KISD) looked into Teagle on October 11 after students complained to school leaders.
One of the teen girls alleged to police that Teagle, 39 at the time, touched her and her best friend, then both 15 years old, in a sexual way. FWST obtained a probable cause statement.
Officials claimed that comments made at the beginning of September led to Teagle inappropriately hugging the girls. He also allegedly put his hands on their buttocks and told them not to tell anyone, FWST reported.
On September 5, the girl alleged Teagle allegedly pulled her onto his lap while they were in a school office, and when she got up, she saw he had an erection.
A few days later, Teagle reportedly took the females into an empty room, where he spanked them both. The student told the police that Teagle put her on his lap and hit her three times before hitting her friend.
Court records report that the second female student stated she felt Teagle’s erection when he allegedly pulled her onto his lap on September 5. It was one of the many disturbing times he allegedly touched her.
Officials said that another time, Teagle rubbed the teen’s thighs and made contact with her vagina while he touched her clothes, according to FWST.
The second girl told officials that after the coach hit both of them, he asked them if they liked sex.
After that, the alleged sexual harassment supposedly stopped, and Teagle apologized by taking both girls to Chipotle the next day. On September 9, he “formally apologized,” the probable cause statement said.
After the two girls told on Teagle, three other teens also went to the police alleging he touched and said inappropriate things to them.
In September, three people who worked for the school district also filed against Teagle. They claimed he had made them uncomfortable on more than one occasion with his inappropriate comments, touching, and behavior.
Teagle was charged with indecency with a child and having an inappropriate relationship with a student in Harris County earlier this month.
Harris County prosecutors told Katy ISD officials about the charges after they had looked into Teagle for a few weeks. So far, he is being charged in connection with one of the victims.
The head coach resigned in October, citing personal reasons, KHOU reported.
“The District takes all potential safety concerns seriously,” the school district said. When the district is made aware of any allegation concerning staff members, that individual is immediately removed from their position, the administration added.
Furthermore, it said, district personnel will work with law enforcement and other agencies to investigate allegations thoroughly and “ensure the safety and well-being of all students.”
Before Teagle became the head coach at Paetow High School, he was the offensive coordinator at Billy Ryan High School in Denton, Texas. His behavior at that school also led to complaints, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Teagle allegedly complimented a student’s breasts and asked female students for back rubs, police said, according to the Chronicle.