Texas Department of Public Safety Special Agents made an arrest for online solicitation of a minor on Monday.
Ropes ISD issued a statement Wednesday stating, they were made aware of an arrest involving a Ropes ISD employee. They went on to say, that to their knowledge, no Ropes ISD students were victims of the alleged conduct. The district has placed the employee on administrative leave pending further investigation by the district into the alleged misconduct. The district has also reported the matter to state licensing authorities and while it conducts its own investigation, the district plans to cooperate with law enforcement authorities to the fullest extent permitted by law.
According to a DPS report, the individual identified as William Simonton, 26 was arrested at a Lubbock apartment complex Monday afternoon. Reports state he was chatting with an agent posing as a minor and agreed to meet them. When Simonton arrived at the apartment he was arrested and charged with Online Solicitation of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Acts. He was released from the Lubbock County Jail on bond, Tuesday.
