Police: Texas teacher promised 16-year-old student good grades for secret sex

Joshua Fechter

A North Texas teacher could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted on charges that he allegedly had sex with a 16-year-old female student, who he offered good grades in exchange for keeping the relationship secret from his wife.

James Lester Quigley, a 34-year-old teacher at Richardson High School, has been charged with one count of improper relationship between an educator and student and one count of sexual assault. Both charges are second degree felonies, each punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

The student’s mother told officers with the Richardson Police Department on Thursday that her 16-year-old daughter had received unwanted texts and emails from Quigley, according to a department news release.

Detectives interviewed the student, who told them that she and Quigley, her English teacher, had engaged in sexual contact between May 1 and June 30, according to the release.

The student told officers that Quigley allegedly began sending her text messages and emails in March 2013 telling her they could be “friends with benefits” after requesting her phone number and email to send her details regarding an essay, an arrest affidavit obtained by the San Antonio Express-News says.

Quigley allegedly proceeded to send the student emails and texts telling her she was “pretty” and that she had a “pretty neck,” according to the affidavit.

The 16-year-old female told detectives Quigley arrived in front of her house in May or June with a hotdog for her dog and hugged her, kissed her forehead and grabbed her behind while hugging her when she opened the door, the affidavit says.

The teacher then began parking outside of the student’s house on multiple occasions, she told police. Quigley told her on another occasion that he “thought about her when he touched himself,” according to the affidavit.

During another incident in 2013, Quigley left the student a note with a Starburst candy on her desk that said, “I would smash you into thin powder, mix you with water and drink it.” She told police that she stopped attending Quigley’s classes and tutoring sessions because he continued to make sexual advances.

Quigley then approached the student with a “written contract,” according to the affidavit.

The 34-year-old English teacher told the female that signing the contract would grant her a grade of 85 percent or higher in his class in exchange for her silence regarding his advances. He also told her she must stay away from his wife, who also taught at the school.

The female student told police she did not sign the contract and sent Quigley multiple texts and emails telling him to stop harassing her, the affidavit said. Quigley refused.

A friend of the female student, also 16, told police said the student was seen “hanging out” with Quigley, bragged about “making out” with Quigley and told her friends that “his beard bothers me when his (sic) kisses me.”

The female student admitted to police detectives she had met with Quigley more than once outside of school and said Quigley allegedly came to her residence on two occasions. She said they had sex both times.

Police arrested Quigley Friday. He is being held in Dallas County Jail on a $100,000 bond, according to jail records.

Source: mysanantonio