Katy ISD teacher arrested, charged with improper photography on campus

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Katy ISD teacher is facing a felony charge of improper photography in a changing room, according to court documents.

Clarence Appleby III, 28, was the Assistant Choir Director at Mayde Creek High School. The district says a student and parent informed the school of the alleged recording device. Campus administration worked with Katy ISD Police Department to arrest and charge Appleby III on Friday, the district said.

Appleby was fired immediately.

Assistant choir director fired, accused of improper photography, Christine Dobbyn reports.

"Due to the nature of the incident, not much information can be disclosed at this time, as this continues to be an ongoing investigation, but please rest assured that the safety of all students is our top priority and such allegations are taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly," the district said in a statement to Eyewitness News.

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Full letter sent to parents:

Dear Mayde Creek High School Parents and Guardians,

Yesterday evening the Assistant Choir Director, Clarence Appleby, was arrested by the Katy ISD Police Department for alleged inappropriate use of a visual recording device on campus. Appleby faces a state felony charge for invasive visual recording and was terminated immediately.

Thanks to the quick thinking of a student and a parent who informed the school, campus administration was able to work with the Katy ISD Police Department to arrest and charge Appleby. Due to the nature of the incident, not much information can be disclosed at this time, as this continues to be an ongoing investigation, but please rest assured that the safety of all students is our top priority and such allegations are taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly.