Former substitute pleads not guilty to 5 felony charges

A 21-year-old Texarkana man entered pleas of not guilty Monday to five felony charges involving girls he met while working as a substitute teacher at a New Boston, Texas, middle school last year.

Dylan Simpson appeared before 202nd District Judge John Tidwell for arraignment Monday morning with Texarkana lawyer Shorty Barrett. Barrett entered pleas of not guilty on Simpson's behalf to three counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact and two counts of online solicitation of a minor.

Tidwell told Simpson that "in light of the nature of these charges" he is requiring additional conditions of bond for Simpson. Simpson was told he must wear a GPS leg monitor and remain on house arrest. Simpson must stay in his home unless at work, court or attending visits with his lawyer. Tidwell ordered Simpson to report to Bowie County probation officials once per week, ordered him to have no contact with minors and told Simpson he is not to use a computer.

Barrett asked Tidwell to reconsider his decision as Simpson has been free on bond since December with no violations of his release. Tidwell declined to amend his ruling.

Tidwell scheduled Simpson to return to court Aug. 13 for his next pretrial hearing.

The students Simpson allegedly touched while at school and those to whom he allegedly sent sexually oriented text messages and sexually graphic photos are 12, 13 and 14 years of age, according to probable cause affidavits used to create the following account.

The five indictments involve four girls, though affidavits include allegations involving at least two others. The school's principal contacted the New Boston Police Department in December and reported that the school's counselor had come to her with allegations from a student.

Simpson allegedly told one student he wanted to sneak her out of her home and have sex with her in his pickup and he allegedly sent photos of his genitals to multiple girls. Another student told investigators she didn't realize it was her substitute teacher who'd sent her a message on Instagram until he sent her a photo of his face.

That girl said she told Simpson they shouldn't be communicating online because of his status as a substitute teacher and Simpson replied by allegedly telling her not to tell anyone. A few hours later, Simpson allegedly sent that girl a photo of his genitals and continued until the student blocked him from her Instagram account.

Another student allegedly told an interviewer at the Children's Advocacy Center in Texarkana that Simpson was in a state of arousal when he purposely rubbed his crotch area on her arm during class. Another student allegedly reported that Simpson rubbed her buttocks and put his hand on her breast one day at school.

Each of the five counts Simpson faces is punishable by two to 20 years in prison.

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