A Houston-area teacher who was placed on leave over allegations of “inappropriate conduct” with a student has now been identified and arrested.
Stephen Griffin, 46, began teaching at Memorial High School in Spring Branch Independent School District in 2019. He is accused of having sex with an 18-year-old student in his science class during the 2022-23 school year while he was going through a divorce.
Following an investigation by district police, Griffin was arrested and charged with improper relationship between educator and student, a second-degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Sex with a student is a crime regardless of the student’s age.
According to the complaint, SBISD police found messages in the victim’s phone—exchanged with Griffin via text and the Signal and Snapchat apps—that supported her allegations.
The victim told investigators the relationship with Griffin turned physical during the 2022 Thanksgiving break.
She said they had sex in his hotel room, which then became a regular occurrence. He later moved to an apartment, and “the relationship turned more sexual.”
The girl said she and Griffin also engaged in oral sex in his classroom and once had sex in the back of her car in a restaurant parking lot.
The victim said Griffin gave her gifts, including his staff jacket, and also gave her test answers and grades of 100 on her assignments.
Griffin texted the victim in October 2023, telling her to stop contacting him because he was reconciling with his wife.
On November 30, the victim’s mother disclosed the allegations to the school principal, Lisa Weir. She arranged a meeting with Weir and an SBISD officer, during which her daughter gave a statement and showed screenshots of her messages with Griffin.
A week later, Weir notified Memorial High School families that an “employee” had been arrested and that the individual was “immediately” placed on administrative leave when she learned of the allegations.
Griffin was released on a $5,000 bond.
State records show his Texas educator certificate is valid through September 2025.
Texas Scorecard has covered dozens of teachers charged with sex crimes.
