Leigha Simonton, United States Attorney, Northern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas
A coach from Perrytown Independent School District has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old student. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Chad Meacham.
Cole Underwood, aged 29, faced charges following a criminal complaint in June 2024 and an indictment later that month. He pleaded guilty to enticement of a minor in September 2024. U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk delivered the sentence, which includes lifetime supervised release and mandatory registration as a sex offender.
Court documents reveal that Perryton ISD’s superintendent contacted law enforcement in May 2024 regarding potential misconduct between Underwood and a female student. Surveillance footage allegedly captured Underwood meeting with the girl after hours against explicit instructions not to do so.
Investigators reviewing the video saw Underwood prop open an exterior door and turn off lights before the girl entered through the propped door and went into his office about 15 minutes later.
In interviews, the victim disclosed that she engaged in sexual activities with Underwood in his office over a dozen times between February and May. She reported that their interactions began after she added him on Snapchat, leading to flirtatious messaging starting in December and subsequent meetings arranged via Snapchat.
A search of her phone uncovered multiple late-night conversations with Underwood, some extending beyond six hours. He reportedly referred to her as “wifey” at times and expressed affection.
During Thursday’s sentencing hearing, the student shared how her relationship with Underwood progressed from seeking guidance during stressful times to being isolated and pressured for sex:
“I had no idea that he was slowly in the process of grooming me; I genuinely thought that he actually cared about me,” she said in her victim impact statement. “I didn't know how to stop it… He convinced me to shut everyone out. I felt like I seriously had no one but him.”
She added: “I hope if there is a girl out there who is going through what I have been through, she has the chance to hear my story to know it's okay to speak up. There are people who want to help… Just because you have one bad chapter does not mean your story is over.”
The investigation was conducted by several agencies including the FBI's Dallas Field Office – Amarillo Resident Agency, Ochiltree County Sheriff’s Office, and Perrytown Police Department, with full cooperation from Perryton ISD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam is prosecuting this case.
