Texas high school teacher Michael Fouse solicited 16-year-old neighbor for sex on Grindr: cops

A Texas high school teacher was arrested after allegedly soliciting a minor online through the dating app Grindr, police said.

Michael Ralph Fouse, 41, is an educator at Berkner High School in Richardson.

In August, the Richardson Police Department launched an investigation after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, according to Fox 4 News.

The organization flagged an online conversation Fouse had on Grindr with an account claiming to belong to a 16-year-old male, an arrest warrant affidavit viewed by the outlet stated.

The teenager reportedly told the suspect that he lived in the same apartment complex as the teacher, according to the affidavit.

“Detectives noted the conversation between the two parties was sexually explicit in nature and the suspect was attempting to meet the 16-year-old victim,” the affidavit stated.

“On multiple occasions the suspect commented on the age of the victim and still communicated in a sexual manner and attempted to convince the victim to come to his apartment for sex,” the affidavit stated.

Authorities have not confirmed that Fouse met the teenager in person. Detectives said the two exchanged explicit photos.

Detectives questioned the educator and conducted a search of his residence prior to his arrest, according to police.

During the police interview, Fouse admitted inviting the teen to his home despite knowing it was a “bad choice.” He also denied having any sort of relationship with any of his students, detectives said.

On August 28, detectives arrested Fouse in connection with the investigation, according to records.

He has since been charged with the online solicitation of a minor, court documents show.

Fouse was booked into the Richardson city jail, police said.

The educator was held on a $20,000 bond, according to records.

Richardson ISD placed Fouse on administrative leave as soon as the criminal probe was launched, the school district confirmed.

“The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. Any conduct that could compromise student safety is unacceptable, and the district takes allegations of this nature extremely seriously,” the school district said in a statement, per the outlet.

The district confirmed that officials will continue to cooperate with police amid the ongoing investigation, according to the statement.

School officials added that the district will take further action once the findings of the investigation are revealed.

The Richardson Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the case.

It is not currently clear if Fouse has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest.