A teacher and coach in Robstown Independent School District was arrested after admitting he had sexual contact with a 17-year-old female student.
Austin Barron, 24, was the head girls’ basketball coach for Robstown High School in Corpus Christi.
Barron was arrested at the Robstown Police Department on February 11 after he was questioned by investigators and admitted to the girl’s allegations.
He was charged with improper relationship between educator and student—a second-degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison.
The victim reportedly told authorities that Barron messaged her several times over the course of a few months to meet him in the gym locker room.
She stated that on one occasion Barron put his hand inside her pants and penetrated her with his fingers.
According to the Robstown ISD website, Barron taught social studies, government, and history in addition to coaching basketball and football.
State records show Barron does not hold a Texas teaching certificate.
As of March 6—three weeks after his arrest—Barron is not listed in the Do Not Hire Registry of people ineligible to be employed by a Texas school district.
Superintendent Marc Puig issued a statement to district families on the day of Barron’s arrest but did not identify the confessed abuser by name.
Puig stated, “In accordance with Texas Penal Code 21.12 D-1, we are unable to release the individual’s name until an indictment has been issued.”
That section of law indicates that a school “may release the name of the accused employee regardless of whether the employee has been indicted for the offense … to the school’s members or community in accordance with the school’s policies or procedures.”
Puig added that the district would begin implementing administrative leave procedures.
Officials do not suspect other victims are involved at this time, but Robstown Police Chief Mike Tamez advised anyone who believes they are a victim to call 361-387-3531.
Barron is among hundreds of Texas teachers and school employees accused of sex crimes involving students in just the past few years.
