An Onalaska Elementary School teacher was arrested and booked into the Angelina County Jail Tuesday on charges including possession or promotion of child pornography and assault causing bodily injury. Jerry Michael Cobb, 47, is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation and any board action.
In a statement released Wednesday, Onalaska Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Fraga said the district was notified of the arrest by law enforcement.
“The safety of our students is our number one priority and will always guide our decisions,” Fraga said. “It is our goal to communicate as fully as possible while not impeding an open investigation, nor violating personnel confidentiality requirements and state law. These factors limit the details that the district can share, however it is important to know that the district has cooperated fully with law enforcement throughout their investigation, and will continue to do so.
“We are committed to addressing this matter quickly and appropriately as determined by the outcome of the investigation. At this time the district has no further information that can be released, as we allow the authorities to complete their work,” Fraga said.
In February of this year, the Onalaska Police Department was notified of an incident in which Cobb had unwanted contact with a juvenile. An investigation was initiated and several adults and juveniles were interviewed. After probable cause was established, warrants were issued for two counts of misdemeanor assault and one count of felony possession of child pornography.
Agencies assisting OPD in the investigation include SHSU Police Department, Polk County District Attorney’s Office, Childrenz Haven and the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office.
