Statement Regarding Arrest of DMS Teacher Townsend
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 13, 2020
Statement Regarding Arrest of Tyler Townsend
On July 27, 2020, Hays CISD was notified by the Kyle Police Department that it was investigating Dahlstrom Middle School Assistant Band Director Tyler Townsend for possible criminal activity involving possession or promotion of child pornography. Townsend was immediately placed on administrative leave the same day.
On July 31, 2020, Townsend resigned his position with Hays CISD. Because his resignation is in conjunction with a criminal investigation, Hays CISD reported the matter to the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). Townsend was first employed by Hays CISD at Dahlstrom Middle School on August 17, 2015, after passing the comprehensive finger-print-based criminal background check required of all Hays CISD employees.
Townsend’s duties as assistant band director at Dahlstrom included directing the campus symphonic and jazz bands, and the percussion program. When Dahlstrom was a feeder middle school to Hays High School, Townsend sometimes assisted with the Hays High School marching band program. In August 2019, Dahlstrom became a feeder pattern for Johnson High School, but Townsend did not assist with the Johnson High School marching band program after the school opened last school year.
During the course of the police investigation, law enforcement notified Hays CISD that invasive, but not pornographic, photos of unknowing female students, possibly while in school at Dahlstrom, were discovered on Townsend’s cell phone. Police are working to identify the possible victims of these invasive photographs and will notify parents and students directly.
Hays CISD continues to appreciate the strong partnerships it has with law enforcement agencies and remains grateful to the men and women of the Kyle Police Department who work diligently and around the clock to keep students safe and protected.
Because this is an ongoing Kyle Police Department investigation, Hays CISD will not be available for media interviews, at this time.
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