A federal complaint has been filed against Perryton ISD coach Cole Underwood, 29, for allegedly enticing a 15-year-old student into a sexual relationship. The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Leigha Simonton, announced the charges.
The alleged relationship came to light after Perryton ISD’s superintendent reached out to law enforcement on May 7 to report possible inappropriate behavior by Underwood. According to the superintendent, surveillance video showed Underwood meeting the girl alone after hours, despite being given explicit instructions not to do so.
Agents reviewed the footage and observed Underwood propping an exterior door open and then shutting off the lights. Approximately 15 minutes later, the girl entered the darkened building through the propped door and walked into Underwood’s office.
In interviews with law enforcement, the child revealed that Underwood had sex with her in his office more than a dozen times between February and May. She stated that after she added him as a contact on Snapchat, he established a personal friendship with her and even invited her to his office to confide in him.
The girl also stated that Underwood began messaging her in a flirtatious and sexual manner in December, and eventually used Snapchat to arrange sexual encounters. A search of the girl’s cell phone revealed multiple late-night conversations between her and Underwood, with him occasionally referring to her as “wifey” and telling her he loved her.
Underwood has been charged via criminal complaint with enticement of a minor, and if convicted, he faces up to life in federal prison. A complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. Underwood is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: sex crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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