UPDATED: Coach-Student Sexual Relationship Alleged
June 3, 2009 by admin
Filed under Ellis County
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Original Post:
Students at Waxahachie High School have alleged that the captain of the Cherokee Charmers drill team, Heather Styles, and a coach at the school, Christopher Cameron, had engaged in a sexual relationship but that an “agreement” was made with local media to hold off on the story until after this weekend’s graduation.
Personal views aside here (which are, students 18 or older are adults regardless of where they attend school), if true, this would completely turn WHS and WISD’s relationship with the Waxahachie Daily Light upside down.
Again, these are the allegations, and according to athletes at the school, they were made aware of the situation this week.
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According to sources at WHS, the story was to come out after graduation.
(That was, until it came to me)
Now, I’ll say this about my views. One, had it been a male student and female coach or teacher (assuming she was hot), there wouldn’t be much to this.
But, with this being a reversed situation, if she’s 18, she’s an adult. There are laws against student-teacher relationships already, regardless of age, but this thing happens more than one might think.
What kind of education are our colleges putting out that we are getting so many teachers of this caliber? I guess I shouldn’t put the blame anywhere except on the teachers directly involved, but this happens so frequently, it should scare anyone with student aged children. I have 5 girls in my family, aged 2 to 12, and it worries me to no end about their future and well-being. If someone has an answer, or better yet, a solution, I would really love to hear it. However, this is an alleged situation and I hope for small towns sake, it stays that way.
I think if we can give young people keys at 16, draft them at 18, let them smoke at 18, consent to sex at 17, I think they should make decisions on their own.
If this case was reversed, nothing would happen to the female teacher/coach, and the male student would be an idol.
However, let the jury decide. That’s in effect what this will become, a test case for jury nullification. It’s a bad law that students of age (that’s key. Of AGE) and teachers can’t pursue adult situations without the double standard legal system getting in the way.
Call me liberal on this, but others think exactly what I do, but are too afraid to say it.
Joey,
If this is true you must realize that to release the name of a sexual assult victim is a fundimental no no. Of course to repeat something a student tells you and repeat it as if a fact is even dumber.What has Joey gained by realeasing this, other than to damage the victims and the district. Joey you need to invent a way to un-ring the bell because you are well practiced at ringing it without thought.You have angered alot of people but now you have offended the father of a young girl and attempted to harm her honor by naming her. You might want to change your residency permanetly, good advice?
Don’t think this was assault-sounds consented to me!
Why do you automatically assume this girl is a “victim?”
It’s not a law, nor a set-in-stone policy, of not identifying “victims.”
If this story is even true, which I’m sure the allegations that are being spoken are, this girl is not a “victim,” she is an adult.
I really don’t like getting into the emotion-driven, “well she’s a victim,” when a reversal of male student-female teacher would have never produced a “victim.”
(At least in society’s eyes)
I just hope this drill team captain is 18, as that will definitely establish her adulthood.
I have two sisters, and if they were in this position, my stance would not change.
Simply because the consensual relationship happened in high school is not an automatic “rape.”
Rape has victims. Consensual relationships with adults do not.
And, the bigger moral failing in ALL of this is the fact there exists an agreement by local daily paper reporters not to report anything till AFTER graduation.
Talk about victims. The real victims are those who need to know what’s going on but are kept in the dark by the mis-named Daily “Light.”
Joey,
Post your phone number, the victims lawyer wants to call you.
Here is the legal definition of sexual assault, as most likely to be applicable here, assuming the girl is at least 17. This is from Texas Penal Code 22.011
§ 22.011. SEXUAL ASSAULT. (a) A person commits an offense if the person:
(1) intentionally or knowingly:
(A) causes the penetration of the anus or sexual organ of another person by any means, without that person’s consent;
(B) causes the penetration of the mouth of another person by the sexual organ of the actor, without that person’s consent; or…
(b) A sexual assault under Subsection (a)(1) is without the consent of the other person if:…
(8) the actor is a public servant who coerces the other person to submit or participate;
This depends on the element of coercion, which may or may not be the case. This would be a second degree felony.
More likely to be applicable is Section 21.12.
§ 21.12. IMPROPER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EDUCATOR AND STUDENT. (a) An employee of a public or private primary or secondary school commits an offense if the employee engages in:
(1) sexual contact, sexual intercourse, or deviate sexual intercourse with a person who is enrolled in a public or private primary or secondary school at which the employee works and who is not the employee’s spouse; or…
This is also a second degree felony. A second degree felony is ordinarily punishable by 2 to 20 years imprisonment.
I agree with these legal principles because of the superior/inferior positions and frequent close contact between students and teachers. Students may be more easily coerced into giving consent due to these positions. Also, similar to an employer or manager coercing an employee, this type of relationship is susceptible to misuse, even with adults, because of possible offers or promises that a teacher, employer, or manager could give in exchange for sexual favors.
Under Texas law, age and gender are not considered in the offense of teacher/student relationships. However, prosecutors have found it difficult to prosecute 17 and 18 year old students. So it’s like Joey says, the real victims are the nosy people that need to know everything.
Who needs to know before graduation? What’s done is done, if anything was done at all.
The teacher will be appropriatly dealt with, I’m sure. Why does it matter when this news break?
I think responsible journalists have every right, if not duty, to sit on a story until an appropriate time. This may not be a “Duty” situation, but it’s certainly their right.
What gives you the right to post gossip and rumor? You have even less right to post rumor than they do to hold off on publishing a story. If there is even a story to be published!
Get off your high horse and become a real journalist if that is what you want.
My contact information is readily available anywhere anytime.
Lawyers know how to get a hold of me.
Joey, your contact information is not the issue. I guess it went right over your head. Timing and responsible journalism appear to be the real issue here.
The more you downgrade the Waxa Daily Light, the more I think they are the more credible news media.
I realize responsible journalism is a thing of the past, but maybe a feeble attempt would be a relaxing change from the norm.
Charlotte, I appreciate your comments, and I’ve not expressed that appreciation before, but I do welcome your insight, whether I agree or not.
With that said, I will not intentionally “spike” a story because it helps a friend or organization. That’s what The Ellis County Press was built on, reporting the truth regardless.
This type of arrangement to “spike” a story was evident when Joe Rust’s son was arrested for intoxication assault on his way to prom during his senior year. You don’t read about people or organizations in the WDL that are “protected.”
By the way, if you ever need some good quality coke, one of Rust’s sons supplies some of the best.
The New York Times spikes stories all the time and they do much more than what the ECP and this blog has done, and that’s not “credible,” that’s simply a business model that is foreign to those who depend on the truth.
I guess we can say that had we not “spiked” the story and intel on bin Laden during Clinton, we would have never had 9/11. Same concept here.
I don’t care who you are, if you’re friend, family, foe, if it’s the truth, it gets posted, printed, published, etc.
I am under no agenda or restriction except to report the truth, and if some want to call that “hearsay,” fine, but also remember hearsay is only invalid in court.
The reason blogs have so much more weight and power that local establishment papers have is because we won’t “spike” or kill a story just because our friends, family, etc will be offended.
There’s still that whole three years of Waxahachie ISD coverage I did for the ECP that the WDL would never touch, or if they did, it was to cover their asses.
The media’s first principle is to the TRUTH, regardless of where, when, or whom.
Anything else is prostitution.
I don’t see why the student is being seen as the victim. She and the coach had a consensual relationship. The VICTIM here is the coach’s wife! Who is showing care about her? She’s the one who is really struggling here!
I think a bigger question would be why would anyone want to “sit” on a story about an inappropriate relationship between a student and an educator? Do the other parents not have a right to be informed that an educator has engaged in a sexual relationship with a student?
Who is being protected in that situation? Surely it offers no protection for any of the other students within the school system and does not convince parents that their children are being protected either.
Every parent deserves to know when an inappropriate relationship occurs within a school and if it is kept silent, then those keeping it silent should lose their jobs.
Another wrench in the opposition’s argument favoring a “holding” of the story…
What if this girl were 16 and the story were withheld?
Would that not be an accessory to a felony? If you know of a lie, but do nothing about the lie, you then become the lie.
It’s very simple.
CPS and Sara Spector and Joe Grubbs have great connections at the Ellis County Children’s Advocacy Center – mainly WDL managing editor JoAnn Livingston – who will rip families apart for 2 percent of what I have posted today.
So, there’s a statute on the books against the teacher-student thing. It’s a felony. So, if the WDL and supporters thereof were careful, they’d think twice before causing an issue with me, because those who know and who helped keep this quiet are engaging in being an accessory to a felony.
-Joey
What is sad is that since the ECO has published a rumor by a high school kid, there are some who want to punish based on that rumor.
Let it be known that whoever was on a “need to know” was notified.
We need to allow the school district/state/local authorities to do their investigations without preconceived ideas.
The school personnel in question was immediately suspended until further investigation
In my opinion, it is irresponsible journalism to write an article based on what a high school student may have said. I also think it is way out of line accusing someone of selling drugs and in such a lighthearted manner. The ECO is nothing more than a TMZ publication for Ellis County. All they care about is the scandal. The greater good for WISD students is to allow them to have a great graduation without a cloud of reporters hovering over them.
Nona, do us all a favor and shut the hell up.
Shootings from Columbine High School were made known from students using cellphones, so should we wait until after kids are killed before tipping off the media?
Shut up, seriously. Your reasoning ability shows greatly.
“Irresponsible journalism.” Haha. So, when things happen and are reported because someone might have a “cloud hovering” over them, it’s irresponsible, but by your reasoning, the Columbine massacre shouldn’t have been reported until their graduation, right?
Sure, killings and sex are totally different, but hey, the reasoning that you use is that school officials should investigate before going to the media. Great, now let’s apply that principle to law enforcement, so that when two students shoot up a school and it’s only high school students pointing the finger, the identies of the “suspects” shouldn’t be made known until a full investigation…
“Without preconceived ideas.” Hahaha. When suspects get dragged through the press by law enforcement, their mug shots blaring on the local news and in newspapers without a full investigation first, it’s “law enforcement.”
But when a blogger or writer does it, it’s “irresponsible journalism.”
Lady, please, go put your head back in the sand. This is obviously not a venue for you.
-Joey
Oh, and what better way to print the truth than to wrap it in sarcasm and humor?
BUT, you do not know that the relationship was sexual, YET you wrote about it and if the opposite is true and they did not find it a sexual relationship, are you then going to print a retraction and apologize for misrepresenting the actual truth? The truth is, you are printing things that are unsubstantiated. I never said that any of it was untrue, I just question your motives. Did you investigate anything? Did you call the school for facts? A responsible person would have before they completely shame the lives of 2 families. Your example of Columbine and reporting are apples to oranges. The events at WHS are known by law enforcement and TEA. They just do a better job of getting all the facts before they spout off.
If it’s found to not be a sexual relationship, then no, I won’t issue a retraction. I didn’t report it as fact. I simply reported what others were saying.
I wrote an article for The Ellis County Press a few years ago about a boy supposedly being healed of blinding at a Red Oak church. Two weeks later I was told that it was a lie. Did people demand I print a “retraction?” No. And did I report that it didn’t happen? Yes.
I can count dozens and dozens of stories that never would have seen the light of day had it not been for me, if you want to keep pushing this personal thing. The allegations are out there and judging by the numerous calls and witnesses who know the truth, it’s obvious that this story is truthful…again, according to those at the school who were told.
Human wisdom declares that we need not listen to those who have taken a different position from ours on an important issue. For there are some offenses so grievous that to stand accused is to stand condemned. In our culture, one accused of child molestation or sexual harassment is presumed guilty. In the eyes of the world, he is guilty and can never recover his reputation.
But I have not cast guilt or judgment on the coach identified in this alleged story.
One needs only to read what I have written to understand that that is far from what I believe. The girl was an adult, as was the coach, and the law on the book is one I don’t agree with. Now it is up for the jury to decide (via jury nullification) if that law is really bad enough to send a guy to prison over…
-Joey
your words
“If this story is even true, which I’m sure the allegations that are being spoken are, this girl is not a “victim,” she is an adult.”
To all:
If ALL parties involved are denying ALL allegations, why does anyone feel the NEED to publish this??? The victims are not unlike the people accused of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials.
Let the district and others authorities deal with this, and keep it out of the court of pulbic ‘opinion’.
The same reactions I’m getting now are the same reactions Matt Drudge got when he started reporting the Monica Lewinsky affair with Clinton.
So I assume now all the students at WHS are just lying then?
-Joey
it was not assault genius’s.. shes a straight up hoe.. herpes and all.
she probably started it..
that hoe
Any teacher at any school that even considers any sexual activity with any student is asking for trouble….Those that seek trouble will surely find it waiting….
Joey’s an idiot. Sure the girl probably consented, that’s obvious, but there are laws and more importantly ethical standards that negate “victims,” consenting or not, to not be named in the media. Any intelligent journalist with one sense of morality knows this.
A couple of points…
1. I’ve seen female teachers get CONVICTED of an improper relationship with a student. This has happened right here in Ellis County.
2. Also, while the teachers convicted of an improper relationship are not required to register as a sex offender, they are still supervised on felony probation on the SEX OFFENDER caseload. They have many of the same conditions that are required of registered sex offenders.
3. Whether the student engaging in a relationship with the teacher is 14 or 17, it is still inappropriate. They are still considered a victim. Ask any reputable law enforcement officer and they will tell you any time a sex crime is committed, a pseudonym is used.
I think the real issue here is that this isn’t the first time this has happened at WHS. Does anyone remember Mr Tennery? Also this isn’t the first time that has happened THIS SCHOOL YEAR. Maybe they should be a little more selective in the hiring process. I just feel bad for the wives of these men. Also girls who make this choice shouldn’t be considered victims in my opinion. They knew what they were doing.
What are you thinking. This is not a chance meeting of two conenting adults. This is a teacher student relationship. This teacher has a postition of authority and control over students that allow him to manipulate them. The reason for the law was simple, to avoid these situations. According to the law, she can NOT give consent. She is a victim, regardless of her age. Every teacher knows this law and he violated it he should be punished. We send out children to school and should not have to worry about thier instructtors being the bad guys. The faculty are acting in loco parenti in our absence and this is akin to incest. Well that may be a bit extreme, but the prupose of the statement is to drive home the point that an older more experienced teacher could easily manipulate young people. That is the purpose of the law, and it is crazy to think she is an adult and should is to blame. The person in authority is to blame, PERIOD. He has all the control and he is the one charged with saying NO. I am not even getting started on releasing her information, especially prior to the graduation. If you know it is going to come out anyway, why not wait and not disrupt an entire community to further your own childish need for DRAMA.
Moral Center, because my morals dictate that regardless of the situation or who manipulates who, the right thing to do is to inform the public, not sit on it as the Waxahachie Daily Light did since May 22.
THAT’S why.
Alumni, there’s obviously more that you know. Would you be willing to share that with this blog?
Just keep your screen name anonymous, and if you have information that might assist others, please feel free to post it.
Say what you need to save face. You were not doing this for any lofty purpose, only your own.
Joey, I suppose my criticisms come from a law enforcement standpoint. I have seen cases ruined or difficult to prosecute because an article in the paper gave out certain information that was prejudicial to the case. Either too much information or tainted reporting has jeopardized a lot of criminal cases. In this case, the teacher was guilty prior to investigation or the girl was tagged a slut. I don’t disagree with the “public has a right to know” concept. Heaven knows our own government has so many secrets, even they don’t know what is going on. I’m just a stickler on reporting reality and not over reporting it.
The public learns a lot and is well informed from the news media, but it needs to be as truthful as possible. You didn’t report it as fact, so to me, you reported gossip.
I will gladly entertain your return criticism if it is without sarcasm. Thanks for listening (or reading as it were).
The coach’s wife is not a victim. She is trying to cover him and the mistakes he made. Along with Coach Cameron, she ‘resigned’. And by the way, this isn’t the first time Chris has had relations with a student.
I read the article above that was posted with a link where in the Hell in that article does it say the Students name ? Why are you continuing to put this girl through the Mud when Her Father was on here and said It is a RUMOR? Are you Mr. Editor or Mr. Admin getting off on the Lies and Rumors being spread about this Poor Girl ? What happens when it is Proven to be false will you clear this girls name ? You have NO CLASS!!!! Are you a Dad because I would hope if you are that would encourage you to get Facts before you go drag KIDS through the Mud!!!!!!! You ought to be ashamed of yourself! All of you talking Shit should be ashamed of yourselves!
Um, let’s see, the “rumors” were reported to the WISD on May 22. Why isn’t this coach back on the job? Or was it that he immediately got put on admin. leave when this blog first reported about the allegations?
The WISD got these allegations on May 22. If there was nothing to them then, this would not be an issue. This is simply the first time people were made aware of it.
If the “rumors” are untrue, then the coach, the girl, and the district would do a full-court press to deny the allegations being spoken to/from WHS athletes.
-Joey
You are Brilliant Joey you just make shit up and Believe it huh ???? Prosecute the Coach cause he is on Admin leave and has Not denied anything….. Genius you are then you listen to a RUMOR from High School KIDS and swing this INNOCENT Girl through the Mud ???? When I grow up Joey I want to be just like you ! A Loser that Hurts INNOCENT people and a Gossiper and an ignorant Human being that tries to destroy other INNOCENT peoples lives~ Why don’t you get with MR. Styles and get the truth or are you too ingorant to pick up a phone or to Ignorant to want to find the truth in this manner because then your STUPID Blog would be USELESS?
So, students come to me with the allegations, and the
“agreement” that it wasn’t to be released until after graduation, and it’s me that is at fault? This is the tried and true method of shooting the messenger to divert attention from where the “fire” is at.
Look, I’ve been at this for almost 10 years, and the comments from the Pope would not sway me. Sounds like you folks need to go take this up with the students in the locker rooms and find out from them why they’re spreading everything.
And just because a parent believes his or her child is innocent does not make it so.
I don’t understand how a young adult can be considered a victim when she was of age — again, that’s if these allegations are true. Would this be different if it were an 18-year-old working at Blockbuster with a 24-year-old or whatever-age supervisor? Would that be an issue?
-Joey
Slice this up any way you want to Joey ….. you are wrong for taking a KIDS word when publishing this Young’s Girls Name all over the Net and Hurting This Child and Her Family with Bullshit From other Kids …. I know you think in your sick little Mind that you are doing the world good by Hurting Innocent Girls and their families But as you say you have been doing this 10 Years and The “Pope” would not even sway you …. So continue to hurt innocent people apparently that is what you do best! Would love to see your Face when the truth of this story comes out and you look like a Bigger ASSWHOLE (In Tommy Styles words ) than you look now! Again you ought to be ashamed of yourself! Misery loves Company you are a Miserable Human Being and don’t ever forget the saying what goes around comes around …..
Yes Joey. The Blockbuster situation you mentioned would be different. They are not covered by Texas law. Teachers and students are. Age is not relevant. Are you not getting this? Young adult or not, it is AGAINST TEXAS LAW for a teacher to have sexual relations with a student. You may think it is OK. That’s fine. But the state doesn’t. Change the law or live with it.
Joey, I like your June 3rd comment to Charlotte. We desperately need you in Ellis County as an advocate for the truth. Do you mind my asking why you left?
Do you have a mailing address other than email or fax?
I forgot to say I think you should move this topic back to your front page so we can keep this misconduct subject alive.
joey this is directly at you. anyone who says anything to this response is idiotic. Anyway, your bringing the subject of this up to public knowledge is good journalism. the only part i personally disagree with is the use of name but that’s not legally supposed to be kept secret. good article. i have no issue with this. article. the situation in other words is all on the coach/teacher who risked it. its on him.
Joey – There were multiple allegations that you had consentual sex with a 16 year old girl when you were 21> Now that you are a bone fide “public figure”, would you mind discussing it?
Wow, yeah, more rumors from my Midlothian High School days. Nothing changes, “Sam Boyd.”
Anyway, 04, thanks for your comment, but this blog doesn’t have any politically correct policies in place to withhold any information about anyone. We name names, basically is what I’m saying.
However, in a rape case, there would definitely be a different standard applied, but this isn’t rape, this is exactly what was and is common knowledge at WHS, but it’s just a little more “powerful” when it’s out there for the public to see.
To Others:
I don’t believe I am wrong for doing this, nor do I think I’m the one dragging someone through the mud. Again, I point to the role reversal. Had this been a male student, the reactions would be much, much different.
I’m not ruining people’s lives. I’m doing the job that no one else in that county has either been able to do, not wanted to do, or otherwise.
-Joey
PS: http://www.wisdblog.com will have a permanent discussion going on about this entire situation. So readers, please bookmark WISDBlog.com.
-Joey