A former substitute teacher accused of misconduct involving New Boston, Texas, Independent School District middle school students entered pleas of not guilty Monday to indecency with a child by sexual contact and online solicitation of a minor.
Dylan Reed Simpson, 21, was in court for arraignment on two counts of online solicitation and three counts of indecency. Texarkana attorney Shorty Barrett entered pleas of not guilty to all five charges at the hearing before 202nd District Judge John Tidwell.
Tidwell imposed additional conditions to Simpson’s current $25,000 bond. Simpson must submit a sample of his DNA to law enforcement, must wear a GPS leg monitor and is prohibited from consuming alcohol or using drugs while his case is pending, Tidwell ordered. Tidwell told Simpson he must remain on house arrest unless at work, court, visiting his attorney or reporting to pretrial services through the Bowie County probation department, which he is required to do at least once weekly. Tidwell also ordered Simpson to have no contact with minors.
According to probable cause affidavits, Simpson came to the attention of law enforcement in December when the school’s principal notified New Boston police that a student told the school counselor that Simpson was acting inappropriately.
Other girls came forward as well and reported Simpson was contacting them online. Simpson allegedly sent the girls, ages 12, 13 and 14, photos of his genitals and requested they send him revealing photos of themselves.
Simpson allegedly admitted to sending sexually oriented online messages to at least two girls during an interview in December. Simpson allegedly told one girl he wanted to sneak her out of her parent’s home and have sex with her in his truck.
Simpson allegedly touched a 12-year-old girl’s buttocks and breast while at school. Simpson allegedly messaged that girl on Snapchat that he wanted to take her virginity. Another girl reported that Simpson rubbed himself on her arm while in class.
Simpson is scheduled to appear before Tidwell for a pretrial hearing Aug. 13. All five of the felony charges pending against Simpson are punishable by two to 20 years in prison.
