A former New Boston, Texas, High School coach pleaded not guilty Friday to charges related to alleged sexual misconduct with a 15-year-old boy.
Zachary Tyler Moody, 41, was indicted last month on three felony offenses: improper relationship between educator and student and two counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact. Moody appeared Friday morning for arraignment before 5th District Judge Bill Miller with Texarkana lawyer Bart Craytor and entered pleas of not guilty to the charges.
Moody is currently free on a $100,000 bail bond. At the request of Assistant District Attorney Lauren Richards, Miller agreed to amend the conditions of Moody's bond to include no contact with anyone under 18. Moody mentioned in court that he is living in Little Rock.
Moody was taken into custody April 11, the day after he allegedly cornered the boy as he was walking down a hallway in the field house, according to a probable cause affidavit used to create the following account. The boy allegedly told investigators Moody blocked his path as he walked down a hall and attempted to push him into an empty locker room.
Moody allegedly told the boy to "give him a little squeeze," as Moody allegedly touched the child's pubic area, the affidavit states. The boy reported that he rebuffed Moody's advances and left the area.
The student allegedly asked a friend to tell his mother what had occurred because he was too embarrassed to speak with her about it. As the family was having dinner at a Texarkana restaurant about 6 p.m. the same day, Moody allegedly sent the boy a message on Instagram that stated, "I was being stupid, sorry."
After the boy showed his mother the message, the family reported their concerns to New Boston Police Department.
Each of the two counts of indecency with a child by contact are punishable by two to 20 years in prison. If convicted of improper relationship between educator and student, Moody faces two to 10 years. Miller scheduled Moody's case for jury selection in June and for monthly pretrial hearings until then.