Texas Professor Arrested in Alleged Child Solicitation Case

A Dallas-area community college professor is facing a child solicitation charge after Texas authorities said he sent sexually explicit messages and images on Snapchat to someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy. Aaron Wood, 34, who had taught drama at North Central Texas College for two years, was arrested Friday by the Denton County Sheriff’s Office, according to county records.

Investigators said the online exchange began May 22, when Wood allegedly communicated with an undercover agent in Florida through Snapchat. According to an arrest affidavit cited by FOX 4 Dallas, the undercover officer was with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and posed as a 14-year-old boy during the conversation.

Authorities allege Wood sent a photo of male genitals along with other sexually explicit messages during the exchange. The affidavit also states that he asked to see explicit images from the person he believed he was messaging. Investigators further alleged that, during the conversation, Wood said he teaches students around the same age as the person he thought he was speaking with.

According to the affidavit, when asked about his students, Wood allegedly told the undercover officer he had “been into a few over the years” and said he was nervous but still interested in continuing the chat. Those statements were included in the probable cause documents referenced in local reporting.

Law enforcement officials said they were able to identify Wood by tracing the IP address connected to the Snapchat interaction. That information led investigators to an apartment in Denton. The Denton County Sheriff’s Office then arrested him and charged him with solicitation of a minor via computer.

College says allegations did not involve students or staff

North Central Texas College confirmed Wood’s arrest in a statement and said he was no longer employed by the school as of Monday. The college also said the allegations do not appear to involve the institution, its students, or its employees.

“To our knowledge, the alleged offense does not involve NCTC, its students or staff,” the college said. The school added that Wood had no contact with NCTC students, faculty, or staff after his arrest on September 25, 2026.

The college emphasized that campus safety remains a top concern. In its statement, NCTC said “the safety of our students and staff are of the utmost importance and concern,” while noting that the reported conduct did not involve current students or personnel.

Additional allegations outlined in affidavit

The arrest affidavit, as described by FOX 4 Dallas, states that the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida had probable cause to pursue additional charges related to the online exchange. Those included transmission of harmful material to minors and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.

As of the latest available information, the Texas charge listed in county records is solicitation of a minor via computer. Fox News Digital reported that it contacted North Central Texas College for additional information.

The case highlights the way online undercover operations can cross state lines when investigators monitor communications involving people who appear to be minors. It also underscores the legal risks tied to messaging apps such as Snapchat when authorities allege sexually explicit contact with someone believed to be underage, even when the recipient is actually an undercover officer.