Teen accused of sexually assaulting middle school student in Santa Fe

SANTA FE, TX (KTRK) -- A teenager in Santa Fe is facing a serious felony charge after allegedly molesting a middle school student.

Christopher Burnett, 18, is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child.

According to court documents, in March a distraught student at Santa Fe Junior High School told an officer with the Santa Fe ISD police that Burnett had committed sex acts with her 13-year-old friend. Some of the sexual activity is alleged to have taken place on the school bus.

Prosecutors say the two had been in contact, texting, and that Burnett had also sent her an illicit photo of himself.

"There had been some evidence that they had been in communication about how to do it so no one would see it. They kind of kept it literally under a blanket so they did take some steps so they could do it, even though it is in a public place, so that nobody saw it," said prosecutor Adam Poole.

Court documents show this is not Burnett's only brush with the law. Last year, he was charged with making a terroristic threat against a public servant, a school teacher. The charge is a misdemeanor and has not yet gone to trial. His attorney in that case says the school disciplined his client, and sent him back into the high school.

Santa Fe ISD issued the following statement: "The district is aware that a student at Santa Fe High School was arrested and charged yesterday for Aggravated Sexual Assault. The Santa Fe ISD Police Department has been involved and worked closely with the District Attorney's Office. The district takes this alleged incident seriously and as always will apply the appropriate discipline according to the Student Code of Conduct. The safety of our students is our top priority."