Houston-area police officers seized thousands of images of child pornography from the home of a Katy ISD teacher on Monday, according to a statement from the Montgomery County constable’s office.
James Stone, 53, was arrested and charged with nine counts of child pornography for allegedly possessing these images.
Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable Ryan Gable, along with the Texas Department of Public Safety, led the investigation. This investigation began as an undercover operation focused on the possession or promotion of child pornography on the internet, as stated by the constable’s office.
Stone allegedly admitted to taking several of the images on school grounds, as well as at beaches and local swimming pools around Katy, according to the constable’s office. He was arrested following a search and subsequently transported to the Fort Bend County Jail on Monday.
The investigation is ongoing, and the constable’s office believes there are several victims associated with the case. They are requesting anyone with information related to the case or potential victims to contact the office at 281-364-4211.
In a statement, Katy ISD confirmed that Stone has not been on campus since last week and will not be returning to the school.
Several news outlets have reported that Stone was a teacher at Tompkins High School before his arrest and is married to Melinda Stone, the principal of Taylor High School.
A staff directory from Tompkins High School lists James Stone as a social studies teacher.
“His arrest and involvement in this criminal activity was unbeknownst to me or those closest to him,” Melinda Stone wrote in an email to school staff, according to multiple local news reports. “My family and I are deeply disappointed in his actions and thus we do not have any plans to be involved in James’ criminal proceedings as he navigates the next steps. It is also important for me to confirm with you that I, nor any other family member, is implicated in James’ criminal activities.”
