Ex-Texas high school coach charged in sexual relationship with student he called “wifey,” US attorney’s office says

PERRYTON, Texas (KWTX) - A former Perryton Independent School District coach has been charged in an alleged relationship with a 15-year-old student, according to Leigha Simonton, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

Cole Underwood, 29, is charged via a criminal complaint with enticement of a minor.

According to the criminal complaint, Perryton ISD’s superintendent contacted law enforcement to report a potential inappropriate relationship between Underwood and a female student.

The superintendent said in the complaint that surveillance video allegedly showed Underwood meeting the student alone after hours despite being told not to be alone with the student.

Law enforcement interviewed the student, and she claimed Underwood had sex with her in his office more than 10 times between February and May, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The student said she added Underwood as a friend on Snapchat, he established a friendship with her and invited her to his office to confide in him, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Authorities searched the student’s phone and found multiple late-night conversations between her and Underwood, including some where he referred to the student as “wifey” and told her he loved her, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

During the hearing this week, FBI Special Agent Nathan Newland testified Underwood believes “its God’s divine plan for them to be together,” according to a report by KVII in Amarillo, Texas.

If convicted, Underwood faces up to life in federal prison.

LOCAL NEWS: Central Texas lake levels remain extremely high and could remain closed until after 4th of July

Copyright 2024 KWTX. All rights reserved.