Ex-WFISD choir director pleads guilty to sex with student
Editor’s Note: If you know or suspect that anyone under 18 is being sexually or physically abused, call the Texas child abuse hotline at 1-800-252-5400. To learn more about how to identify signs of child abuse or neglect, click here.
A former Wichita Falls High School choir director pleaded guilty Friday to having sex with a student.
Christopher Glenn Jarvis pleaded to a felony charge of improper relationship between an educator and a student. As part of a plea agreement, he will spend six months in the Wichita County Jail and be on probation for 10 years.
The crime is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
“Prosecutors met multiple times with the victim and the victim’s family. This was the resolution they requested so the victim could move on and heal and not have to testify,” said Chief Felony Prosecutor Kyle Lessor in a press release from the Wichita County District Attorney's Office. “It is always our objective to consider the victim’s wishes and what is best for them, as well as protect the public. This resolution accomplishes both of those objectives.”
Lessor said Jarvis will spend the next six months, day-for-day, in jail as a condition of his probation. Then, he will be in the sex offender treatment program with the probation department.
“Due to the victim’s age, this is not a registerable offense under Texas law," Lessor said, meaning Jarvis will not have to register as a sex offender.
The incident happened in December 2017, and Jarvis resigned from WFISD in May 2021.
Lessor said the DA's officer sent the Texas Education Agency the documents from Friday's proceedings.
"The defendant will never hold a teaching certificate in Texas again," he said.
More:Charged 6 months ago, WFISD choir teacher remains on payroll
More:City View ISD provides leave letters issued to coach accused of sexual improprieties
Following Jarvis’ sentencing in 30th District Court, the victim made a tearful statement.
“You used me for your own pleasure. You took my virginity,” the woman, who was 17 at the time of the offense, said. “It was not a relationship. It was a crime.”
Read the full victim impact statement here
Jarvis stood with his head bowed as the woman spoke.
“During the investigation, I was told a WFISD official stated that you had been 'on their radar' for this type of behavior. If so, I often wonder why someone in authority within the school system didn’t save me from you before it was too late” she said.
More:Fallout from sexual abuse allegations costing City View ISD thousands
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Ex-choir director pleads guilty to sex with student
