The woman identified in court documents as Jane Doe says over a four-year period, former Katy High School art teacher Robert Milton, 42, groomed her for what would become a sexual relationship.
The federal complaint alleges Katy ISD did nothing about Milton after learning accusations he targeted at least one other underage girl while teaching at Mayde Creek High School.
Attorneys for Jane Doe claim Katy ISD "engaged in a custom and practice of permitting its teachers to sexually abuse students, even those younger than eighteen years of age."
According to the lawsuit, Milton sent photos of his penis to Jane Doe on social media, which eventually led to the two having sex.
In the Mayde Creek case, Milton was accused of giving "suggestive letters" to an underage student. Court documents said the girl's uncle reported the letters to school officials after he found them.
Katy ISD's response to the allegations did not involve discipline or a police report, the lawsuit says, but Milton's quiet transfer to Katy High School.
Milton resigned and pleaded guilty to felony improper relationship with a student. He was sentenced to four years deferred adjudication, which amounts to probation.
Back in July 2016, we reported that Jane Doe had allegedly told Milton she had a crush on him after he told her he was unhappy with his marriage.
According to court papers, Milton and Jane met at Cullen Sculpture Garden to take graduation photos, and the pair had sex in his car when it began to rain.
On Friday, Katy ISD issued the following statement to Eyewitness News:
On April 7, Katy ISD became aware of a federal lawsuit filed against the District related to a July 2016 Katy ISD Police Department investigation regarding an alleged inappropriate relationship between a teacher and a student. Due to pending litigation, the District cannot provide further details on the lawsuit.
However, Katy ISD cares deeply about its obligation to maintain a safe learning environment and works aggressively to investigate all allegations pertaining to the well-being of our students and staff. On July 16, 2016 former teacher, Robert Milton was immediately placed on administrative leave following allegations of an inappropriate teacher-student relationship. Amid the investigation, Milton resigned from Katy ISD and voluntarily surrendered his teaching certificate to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). District administration worked closely with the Katy ISD Police and the Harris County District Attorney's Office to file criminal charges against Milton at the close of the investigation. The District will continue to work with law enforcement and other agencies to ensure the safety and security of all students.
Katy ISD teacher charged with improper relationship
Last year, Katy ISD issued this statement regarding Milton's arrest:
"At Katy Independent School District, we are committed to providing a safe learning environment for all of our students. Yesterday the district was informed that the Harris County District Attorney's Office filed criminal charges against, Robert Milton, a Katy High School teacher, for allegedly engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a student.
As soon as the District became aware of the concern an investigation was launched. Milton was immediately placed on administrative leave. Several days later, the teacher resigned from Katy ISD. The District is cooperating fully with prosecutors with the Harris County District Attorney's Office during this investigation and will continue to do so."
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