HOUSTON — A former Houston ISD middle school teacher was in court on Monday, his second appearance after being accused of having an improper relationship with a 14-year-old student.
Dale Vanwright, 63, is facing three felonies: sexual performance of a child, sexual assault of a 14- to 17-year-old and indecency with a child.
Prosecutors said Vanwright had inappropriate sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl while he was teaching at Tanglewood Middle School.
Authorities said he booked a hotel room and bought condoms for the girl and another teen to engage in sexual acts in front of him. According to prosecutors, they also have audio recordings from the victim of Vanwright asking her if things were good between them and for her not to say anything because he claimed to have another case against him.
Investigators think there might be more victims and asked them to come forward.
"We work day and night on these cases ... we're waiting for you. So if you are, you know, this defendant, you were in his middle school class or anyone else. Just if you are a victim, know that we care, we are here all the time and we’re here to help as we can," Jill Wells, with the Harris County District Attorney's Office, said.
A judge ordered Vanwright to not have any access to social media, including dating apps, and also ordered a tracking monitor to be put on his phones and computer. The judge also told him he can't have any contact with the victims while he's out on a $150,000 bond.
He's due back in court in September.