RICHARDSON, TX — A Richardson Berkner High School teacher has been arrested on a third-degree felony charge of online solicitation of a minor, according to Richardson police. Michael Ralph Fouse, 41, was taken into custody without incident at his home on Friday. Police said the case began Aug. 20 after they received a tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Richardson Independent School District said Fouse was immediately placed on administrative leave.
Investigators said they are working with Richardson ISD as they continue to gather information. The district said it will cooperate with police during the criminal investigation and will take appropriate action based on the findings. Officials have not released additional details about the allegations. The case remains active, and police are asking anyone with information to contact them at (972) 744-4893.
How The Investigation Began
Richardson police said the investigation was launched after the agency received a tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children on Aug. 20. That report led detectives to begin looking into Fouse and the online solicitation allegation. Police have not said what information was included in the tip or how it connected to the teacher.
The arrest happened Friday at Fouse’s home and was made without incident, according to the Richardson Police Department. He was charged with online solicitation of a minor, which police described as a third-degree felony. The department has said the investigation is continuing and that detectives are still working to determine additional facts.
District Places Him On Leave
Richardson Independent School District said Fouse was placed on administrative leave right away. In a statement, the district said it is cooperating fully with police while both the criminal investigation and a personnel matter move forward. The district also said it is limited in what it can share at this time because the case is still active.
RISD said its priority is student safety and that it will take every appropriate step based on what investigators find. The district did not provide details about Fouse’s role at Berkner High School beyond identifying him as a teacher there. No information was released about whether any students were directly involved or whether the allegations happened on or off campus.
Charges And Next Steps
Police have identified the charge as online solicitation of a minor, a felony offense under Texas law. The criminal case is still in its early stages, and authorities have not announced any court dates or further legal action. Richardson police said detectives are continuing their work with the school district as they build the case.
Anyone who may have information is being asked to call Richardson police at (972) 744-4893. Officials have not said whether additional arrests or charges are possible. For now, the department says the matter remains under investigation and more information may come out as detectives continue reviewing the evidence.
Community Reaction And Concerns
The arrest has put a local focus on student safety and the procedures schools use when an employee is accused of a serious crime. RISD said it intends to cooperate with investigators and act on the findings, while police continue to seek more information. The district’s statement emphasized protecting the well-being of students during the process.
Because the case is ongoing, both the police department and the district have withheld many details. That includes any broader description of the allegations, the circumstances of the arrest, or how long the investigation may take. CBS News Texas said it will provide updates as more information becomes available.
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