GREATWOOD, Texas — A Fort Bend ISD high school principal is accused of trying to buy sex from an undercover officer.
Court documents show Clements High School principal Brian Shillingburg was arrested late Monday, Dec. 11 as part of an undercover initiative called ‘Operation Naughty List.’
The 43-year-old man goes by Brian on the school’s website and his social media accounts, but court records show his full name is James Brian Shillingburg.
A probable cause affidavit revealed a task force with the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office worked with an undercover detective from the Houston Police Department as part of the operation with the goal to identify and arrest sex buyers to reduce the demand of victimized sex workers.
The HPD detective posted advertisements on websites known for prostitution in an undercover capacity.
The affidavit from the detective said Shillingburg allegedly met with the undercover official at the Holiday Inn Express in Missouri City. Inside a hotel room, Shillingburg allegedly agreed to engage in sexual acts for $90.
The undercover detective gave an arrest signal and authorities arrested Shillingburg and took him into custody.
In Texas, solicitation of prostitution is a state jail felony, punishable by up to two years behind bars if convicted. The punishment was increased from a misdemeanor in 2021.
On Tuesday, Shillingburg appeared before a magistrate judge where he was issued a $5,000 bail amount. Shillingburg remained in custody as of Tuesday afternoon.
Fort Bend ISD confirmed the arrest and charge in a statement sent to KHOU.
“We are committed to ensuring there is no disruption to instruction and a smooth administrative transition,” the statement from the district went on to say, though it did not elaborate on Shillingburg’s employment status.
Shillingburg is scheduled to appear in court next on January 22.
According to his bio on the Clements High School website, he’s been at the school since July of 2022. Before that, he was principal at James Bowie Middle School. His bio also says Shillingburg taught elementary school, is a former youth counselor and youth pastor. He has a degree from Mary Hardin Baylor and a master's from Sam Houston State.