(RICHMOND) – A former Lamar CISD kindergarten teacher has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing a student in 2021.
A Fort Bend County jury convicted 47-year-old defendant Troi Phillip Moore on Nov. 16, of Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact and Indecency with a Child by Exposure for sexually abusing a former student. After the verdict, Moore agreed to be sentenced to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division on each case with the sentences to be served consecutively and waived his right to an appeal.
Evidence presented by prosecutors Alycia Curtis and Craig Priesmeyer revealed that while working in 2021 as a kindergarten teacher at Tamarron Elementary in Lamar CISD, Moore engaged in sexual contact with one of his six-year-old male students. The jury heard evidence that the defendant, a teacher for over 20 years, isolated the child in the classroom and sexually abused him. Jurors deliberated approximately two hours before returning verdicts of guilty.
Lead prosecutor Alycia Curtis said, “This case is truly a parent’s worst nightmare as school should be a safe place to send our children. Thankfully, the victim’s parents took immediate steps to keep their son safe by reporting Moore to both the school and law enforcement. The victim showed incredible bravery by not only telling his parents what happened to him in the classroom but by facing Moore in court.”
During trial, the jury heard from the now 8-year-old child, who courageously recounted the sexual abuse in front of his former teacher.
“I applaud the jury for holding the defendant accountable for his despicable behavior,” said District Attorney Brian Middleton. “And what is effectively a 20-year prison sentence, keeps all of our children safer here. I thank the survivor for being so brave and for helping us get justice in this case.”
After trial, both Curtis and Priesmeyer commended the work of all groups involved in this case including the Lamar Consolidated ISD Police Department, Harris Health Systems, and Child Advocates of Fort Bend.
Priesmeyer said, “Without the commitment of these various groups, we would not be able to help victims and their families navigate the criminal justice system and receive both the medical treatment and therapy services they need. These kinds of cases are a team effort, and we’re grateful to work with such dedicated organizations.”
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