Texas teacher accused of giving perfect grades to student in exchange for intimate relationship

A high school science teacher in Houston has been accused of giving perfect grades and test answers to a student in exchange for a relationship that lasted several months, according to Fox News Digital.

Stephen Griffin, 46, who was a teacher at Spring Branch Independent School District, is now facing felony charges for having an inappropriate relationship with an 18-year-old student.

He was soon released on $5,000 bond after being arrested on December 7.

Griffin's attorney, Justin Harris, stated that "there's been no evidence of this whatsoever and we deny the charges."

"Mr. Griffin has been a model teacher throughout his career and this has blindsided everybody. We have some trails that we're going down that might explain where these allegations might be coming from."

Harris continued: "Generally when these things happen, what you read in complaints and what actually ends up happening are usually night and day from each other. They're on the same planet, but they're different parts of the same day. We're waiting to see the evidence in the case. At this time it's just allegations. If you believe the state's allegations on their face, this is not a sexual assault case – this was a consensual act between two adults."

However, Texas Penal Code 21.12 seems to suggest otherwise, classifying an improper relationship between a teacher and student as a second-degree felony. The law even applies to a student who may legally be an adult. Someone found guilty of the crime could face 20 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

At the time Griffin was allegedly in a relationship with the victim, he was employed at Memorial High School and was in the process of getting a divorce.

The 18-year-old student apparently shared with the Spring Branch ISD Police that she had met Griffin at a hotel and at his apartment during the 2022-2023 school year, according to KTRK. This is where their relationship first became physical.

The mother of the student reported the alleged relationship to school administrators on November 30. Later that day, the student shared incriminating messages that were swapped between her and Griffin.

The relationship began after the unidentified female student had asked Griffin if she could eat lunch in his classroom during his off period on September 23, 2022. Around this time, Griffin gave the student his personal cellphone number and told her he was available to talk if she ever needed someone to talk to.

The two swapped text messages for a few months, according to the complaint. In November, the student apparently met Griffin at the Staybridge Suites Hotel, where they ultimately had sex. The student went on to say that the two exchanged oral sex in his classroom, and on one occasion, they had sex in the back of her vehicle behind a restaurant in Houston, according to Fox News Digital.

The student said it was around this time that Griffin began giving her test answers in advance and providing her with 100% scores on all her assignments.

However, their alleged relationship ended during the summer of 2023, when Griffin asked her to stop texting him because he was trying to get back together with his wife.

A forensic technician took up the student's phone to search her Snapchat and Signal accounts for any incriminating messages swapped between the two parties during the time frame they were alleged to be in a relationship.

The complaint revealed one message Griffin allegedly sent the student over Snapchat, which read: "We need to talk. I miss you. Can we talk? I'm suicidal right now. Call me. Ok babe. This is how it's going to be? Don't do this, call me. Can we talk in person? Want money? I'm about to kill myself. Please call me."

It is not known if Griffin is still employed at the high school.

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