By Shelby Truelock KFDA
PERRYTON, Texas (KFDA) – Former Perryton ISD coach Cole Underwood has been charged following an accused sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student.
According to the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton, 29-year-old Underwood was charged with enticement of a minor after a criminal complaint.
Underwood made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lee Ann Reno on Thursday, June 6.
According to the complaint, Perryton ISD’s superintendent reached out to law enforcement on May 7 to report a possible inappropriate relationship between Underwood and a female student.
According to the Perryton ISD superintendent, surveillance video showed Underwood propping a door open and shutting off lights. 15 minutes later, the girl entered the darkened building and walked into Underwood’s office.
The child said Underwood had sex with her in his office over a dozen times between February and May in interviews with law enforcement.
The teen said after she added Underwood on Snapchat, he established a personal friendship with her. Underwood also invited the teen to his office to confide in him.
Underwood began messaging her in a flirtatious and sexual manner in December and eventually used Snapchat to arrange sexual encounters with the teen.
A search of the teen’s cell phone revealed several late-night conversations, some of which lasted more than six hours, between her and Underwood.
Officials say Underwood occasionally referred to the teen as “wifey” and told her that he loved her.
If convicted, Underwood faces up to life in federal prison.
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