Teacher To Plead Guilty To Child Porn In Federal Plea Deal

Garland, TX — A high school teacher has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography in a federal plea deal.

Willis Bassham admitted to videotaping himself having sex with a student, court documents say. He has been removed from his position at Garland High School.

“Once we became aware of this situation, we acted,” said Chris Moore of the Garland Independent School District.

He continued, “We looked into it. We did an investigation, quickly contacted the police department, placed the employee on leave … it is extremely unfortunate and it’s inexcusable when these things occur, parents send their kids to school to learn, it’s a safe zone and when things like this happen, it raises questions.”

In May, the school district placed Bassham, a Social Studies teacher, on administrative leave after a teacher voiced concern that he was having an inappropriate relationship with a student.

Investigators reportedly recovered at least two video clips from a cell phone at Bassham’s home. Both show Bassham engaging in sexual activity with a student younger than 17.

In Garland High School’s yearbook last year, Willis Bassham is quoted as saying, “I would hope I am a better teacher.”

Marcus Bell, a graduate of Garland High School, said, “It was a disgrace and disrespectful to the school, the teachers, the district and everyone involved in the situation. It’s not right to mess around with students, especially way younger than you and don’t really know any better.”

Under the plea deal, Willis Bassham would plead guilty, serve eight years in prison, and register as a sex offender.

No court date has been set yet, and a judge has yet to accept Bassham’s plea agreement.