NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas — A teacher from Austin thought he was having an online conversation with a child, but it was actually a North Texas detective posing as a minor, and that conversation led to 42-year-old James Byrd's arrest.
Byrd was arrested on Dec. 27, after he contacted whom he believed was a fifteen-year-old girl via Whisper, a social media chat platform, according to the North Richland Hills Police Department.
Police said Byrd agreed to meet up with a detective who was posing as the underage girl in North Richland Hills.
Byrd was employed as a teacher at Cedar Creek High School in Bastrop Independent School District from Aug. 7, 2019 to Jan. 4, 2024, according to the district.
"During the winter break the District learned of his arrest in Tarrant County. He was placed on administrative leave, and the District accepted his resignation that same day," a Bastrop ISD spokesperson said in a statement to WFAA sister station, KVUE. "Per protocol, BISD reported the individual to the State Board for Educator Certification. Although the criminal investigation does not involve BISD or any of our students and rests with officials in Tarrant County, Bastrop ISD will cooperate fully with law enforcement as needed."
Authorities said the investigation into Byrd was a joint operation involving the North Richland Hills Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children, the Fort Worth Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies.
Byrd is charged with online solicitation of a minor.
This is a developing story and will update this article once more information becomes available.