Katy ISD School Board Terminates Teacher Charged with Child Pornography

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

June 7, 2024

By Natalie Cook Clark

Katy ISD’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted this week to terminate the Tompkins High School teacher who was arrested and accused of owning child pornography and taking pictures of children including Katy students.

Tompkins High School Teacher Arrested in May

Government and History Teacher James Paul Stone, 53, was arrested in May and charged with 9 counts of possessing and producing child pornography. In addition to finding thousands of images at his home, Stone admitted to taking pictures of Tompkins High School and around the Katy community. During his first court appearance he admitted to taking pictures of young girls in his classroom and his backyard pool.

The Katy ISD Board of Trustees met Monday for a special board meeting. They unanimously voted after little discussion to terminate Stone’s contract with the school district. At the time of Stone’s arrest, Katy ISD issued a statement saying that he hadn’t been to the campus since the week before.

Due to the ongoing investigation, the district was unable to provide any information but stressed that they took matters like this seriously and were cooperating with law enforcement.

Stone was arrested after an undercover investigation conducted by detectives with Montgomery County Precinct 3′s Internet Crimes Against Children unit.

He shares his home with his wife and Taylor High School principal, Melinda Stone. Melinda is a principal at Taylor High School and quickly addressed her staff and families.

“His arrest and involvement in this criminal activity was unbeknownst to me or those closest to him,” Melinda Stone wrote in one of two emails she shared with her staff and Mustang family following his arrest. “My family and I are deeply disappointed in his actions and thus we do not have any plans to be involved in James’ criminal proceedings as he navigates the next steps.”

She also stressed that she, nor anyone else in her family, is implicated in this crime. As always, Katy ISD stresses that providing a safe and secure learning environment continues to their top priority.  

Stone's bond was set at $900,000.

MORE KATY MAGAZINE

Follow Katy Magazine on Facebook for more current news.

#CentralGreenPark #COA