CLUTE—A now-former teacher from the Houston area has been arrested on charges involving child pornography and destruction of evidence.
Michael Chase Watson, 36, was a teacher at Brazoswood High School in Clute. He was arrested this month after a lengthy investigation.
Watson was charged with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with the intent to impair, receipt of child pornography, and destruction of evidence in a federal investigation, according to legal records.
His bond has been set at $50,000.
According to official legal documents, Watson was placed on the Department of Homeland Security’s radar in January of this year.
DHS investigators were initially alerted to Watson’s alleged activities revolving around child porn by authorities in Utah.
Following the alert, DHS investigators immediately launched an investigation into Watson.
The investigators began searching through social media apps and found a user—Watson—who was allegedly attempting to sell child porn.
Reports claim he distributed sexually explicit pictures and videos of underage girls online.
Once investigators had enough evidence, they obtained and attempted to execute a search warrant for Watson’s home.
However, Watson had allegedly learned of the search warrant and, according to investigators, Watson told them he tried to get rid of the apps he had used to distribute the porn.
Brazosport Independent School District issued a statement following Watson’s arrest:
We have been made aware that a Brazoswood High Teacher has been arrested off campus by local authorities. At this time, we have no indication that the arrest is in connection to any incidents that are school-related. The district has taken immediate action to ensure the employee has no contact with students. Please know that our responsibility to care for and protect the children entrusted to us is never taken lightly. Brazosport ISD expects the highest standard of professionalism and integrity from its employees to ensure a safe learning environment. Staff not meeting these expectations will be subject to termination.
Following his arrest, the school district relieved Watson of his position as a teacher specializing in agriculture and welding.
Per the TEA’s educator certificate search, Watson’s certificate is currently still valid; however, he is marked as “currently under review by the TEA Educator Investigations Division.”
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