AUSTIN, Texas — A former music teacher at Cedar Creek Elementary School is facing multiple charges for online crimes against children.
According to Eanes ISD, Zachary Barnett was arrested Wednesday after an investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Computer Information Technology and Electronic Crime (CITEC) Unit.
Although most of what Barnett is accused of occurred outside of school hours, the district said investigators found that he had taken pictures of and videos of some students while at school without their knowledge or consent. The students in the footage were clothed in the images, according to the district.
The Eanes ISD Police Department is working to confirm which students’ images were found in the search of Barnett’s devices. The district said that the families of the affected children will be contacted directly by the district or DPS officials for additional information.
Barnett worked in Eanes ISD for three years. According to the district, a background check conducted when he was hired showed that he had no criminal history.
He’s now charged with three felony counts of possessing child pornography. He remains in Williamson County Jail at this time.