A Dallas-area community college drama professor has been arrested and charged with solicitation of a minor via computer after authorities say he sent sexually explicit photos and messages on Snapchat to an undercover law enforcement officer he believed was a 14-year-old boy.
Aaron Wood, 34, who taught drama for two years at North Central Texas College, was taken into custody by the Denton County Sheriff's Office, according to county records. The college confirmed the arrest in a statement and said Wood was no longer employed as of Monday.
The investigation began when Wood allegedly engaged in an online conversation on Snapchat with an undercover officer from the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Florida on May 22, according to an arrest affidavit. During the exchange, Wood reportedly told the officer that he teaches students around the same age as the person he believed he was speaking with.
When asked about his students, Wood allegedly said he had «been into a few over the years» and that he was nervous but still interested in continuing the conversation, the affidavit states. Authorities say he sent a picture of male genitals along with other sexually explicit messages and asked to see similar images in return.
Investigators tracked Wood through the IP address used during the interaction, which led them to an apartment in Denton, Texas. The Orange County Sheriff's Office determined there was probable cause to charge Wood with transmission of harmful material to minors and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, in addition to the solicitation charge filed in Denton County.
North Central Texas College said the alleged offense did not involve any school staff or students. «To our knowledge, the alleged offense does not involve NCTC, its students or staff,» the college said in its statement. «We can verify that he has had no contact with NCTC students, faculty or staff since his arrest.»
The college emphasized that «the safety of our students and staff are of the utmost importance and concern.» Wood had been employed as a drama instructor at the college for two years before his arrest.
The case highlights the growing use of undercover online operations by law enforcement agencies to identify individuals accused of seeking sexual contact with minors. In this instance, the operation was conducted by the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Florida, while the arrest was carried out by authorities in Denton County, Texas, illustrating coordination across state lines.
Wood's arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny of educators and school personnel accused of inappropriate conduct involving minors. The affidavit's details — including the allegation that Wood referenced his own students during the conversation — have drawn particular attention given his position at a community college.
Authorities have not released additional information about the case, and it was not immediately clear whether Wood has obtained legal representation. Fox News Digital reached out to North Central Texas College for additional information.
The Denton County Sheriff's Office charged Wood with solicitation of a minor via computer. The Orange County Sheriff's Office in Florida had probable cause to charge him with transmission of harmful material to minors and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. The investigation remains active.