Key Takeaways
- Stephen Strawn, a former band teacher at First Baptist Academy, was arrested and charged with indecency with a child and child grooming involving a student
- Reports indicate the use of “private lessons” and isolation
- The case raises questions about potential civil liability and whether the alleged harm could have been prevented by the school
Band Teacher Stephen Strawn Arrested
A band teacher at a Texas private school is facing felony charges following allegations involving a minor student.
Stephen Charles Strawn, 50, a band teacher employed at First Baptist Academy in Universal City, was arrested on Thursday, March 26, 2026 and charged in two separate cases with indecency with a child and child grooming in relation to an investigation involving a 13-year-old student.
Strawn has since bonded out of jail. The investigation is ongoing and authorities note that additional charges may be filed.
Timeline of Events
Universal City police officers began their investigation on March 18 after a report was made by Child Protective Services.
Child Protective Services had first responded to the school on March 16 after receiving a report from a parent of allegations of inappropriate interactions. Two days later, on March 18, law enforcement was formally notified and began their investigation.
The allegations describe a pattern of behavior that developed over time, with investigators indicating that the conduct met the criteria for child grooming.
According to KEN 5, “Investigators say Strawn began building trust with the victim through private French horn lessons, pulling her out of class starting in November 2025.”
Strawn admitted to having unauthorized private lessons, uniform fittings, and taking pictures of the student, according to KSAT. He also allegedly asked her to model “flag team uniforms,” despite her not being a member of that team. According to investigators, the clothing he purchased for the victim was revealing, unrelated to the school, and as Detective Sergeant Christopher Rosales stated, something that “staff would not approve” of.
According to investigators, Strawn asked the victim to remove her bra and photographed her after asking her to put on “revealing” tops. “Investigators also allege Strawn used a measuring tape and his hands to touch the victim inappropriately.” (KEN 5)
The allegations further include efforts to isolate the student, including sending other students away so that she would be alone with him. In one instance, a concerned friend began recording an encounter.
Concerns About Additional Victims
According to KEN 5, Strawn admitted “‘to doing the same thing… to another victim approximately two years prior.’”
Authorities believe that additional victims may exist, and the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Detective Lieutenant Daniel Carmona at dcarmona@ucpdtx.org.
The Church’s Response
First Baptist Academy, a private Christian school near San Antonio, operates as part of the First Baptist Church of Universal City. The church is reportedly affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), a denomination that has faced significant scrutiny in recent years over allegations of systemic failures to address and prevent sexual abuse.
Lead Pastor Ryan Gilbert has released a statement regarding the “recent arrest of a faculty member.”
He said that the church and school leadership were not aware of the allegations prior to being notified by Child Protective Services. He also said that Strawn was immediately placed on administrative leave after they received notification and is no longer working on campus.
In a recent sermon referencing the arrest, Gilbert reminded members of the congregation that “gossip is a sin.” Protecting a victim’s identity is essential, but allegations involving harm to a minor also demand clear and responsible communication to ensure awareness and accountability.
Reporting on abuse with sensitivity can play a critical role in ensuring that others who may have experienced similar conduct feel supported in coming forward.
In this context, discussing allegations is not about rumor or speculation; it is about awareness, accountability, and the protection of others within the community.
Access and Roles Within the School Environment
Publicly available information suggests that Strawn had been working at First Baptist Academy as a band director since 2018 and was involved in multiple student-facing roles, including tech crew, praise, and yearbook.
Social media associated with the school’s fine arts program includes group photos featuring Strawn alongside students, reflecting his regular presence in student activities and programs.
Strawn’s Facebook profile indicates that he previously worked for the Judson Independent School District as a music teacher from July 2010 to December 2014.
Records from the Texas Education Agency indicate that Strawn was certified to teach music beginning in 2010. His certification, which lists an expiration date of 2016, is currently shown as inactive. He is under review by the TEA Educator Investigations Division.
Institutional Accountability and Civil Justice
First Baptist Academy City operates as a private Christian school affiliated with First Baptist Church. A faith-based educational institution, the Academy encourages students “to appreciate both their Christian and American heritage of freedom and human dignity, a gift from God. Self-discipline is fostered in students based on respect and reverence to God and all authority. The Academy seeks to teach and guide students into a relationship with Jesus Christ and submission to His authority in their lives.”
Families who enroll their children in this school likely place a significant level of trust not only in educators, but in the institution as a whole, with expectation of safety and appropriate boundaries between staff and students.
When allegations arise involving a teacher, they raise important questions about whether appropriate safeguards were in place and consistently followed.
While criminal proceedings focus on whether a crime occurred, civil lawsuits examine whether the harm could have been prevented. Survivors of sexual abuse have important legal rights, including the ability to pursue civil claims against those responsible for the harm they experienced.
In cases involving alleged misconduct by a teacher, civil claims can evaluate whether institutions such as schools fulfilled their duty to protect students.
These claims may allow survivors to seek compensation for the emotional, psychological, and financial impact of the abuse, while helping to identify systemic failures and prevent future harm.
Regardless of whether a school is public, private, or religious, the responsibility remains the same: students must be protected.
When families entrust their children to an institution, that trust carries a clear obligation to ensure their safety.
If You Were Harmed by Stephen Strawn or Another Educator
When child sexual abuse allegations arise within a school community, families often have questions about their legal rights.
The attorneys at Andreozzi + Foote represent survivors of sexual abuse in Texas and nationwide. Our firm has extensive experience litigating cases against schools and other youth-serving organizations across the country.
If you or your child may have been a victim of Stephen Strawn or another educator, you can contact our team for a free, confidential case evaluation. We are here to listen and to help you understand your options.
Contact us today.
📞 (866) 311-8640
📧 info@vca.law
Image sources: Left: Stephen Strawn, via FBAUC Web Archive. Stephen Charles Strawn, via KENS 5, courtesy of Bexar County Jail. First Baptist Academy, © Google, via Google Maps.
