Fort Bend ISD Clements High School principal arrested in prostitution sting
Clements HS principal arrested, tried to pay for sex
A high school principal walked out of Fort Bend County Jail after being accused of trying to pay for sex. Investigators say the Clements High School administrator was busted in "Operation Naughty List." FOX 26's Abigail Dye has more after talking with the District Attorney's Office parents and students.
SUGAR LAND, Texas - A Fort Bend ISD principal has been arrested for solicitation of prostitution. Fort Bend assistant district attorney Wesley Wittig says official charges have yet to be filed.
"We will review it and make sure the evidence is sufficient and if so, we'll take it before a grand jury and ask for the indictment if not we'll reject it and it'll be over," he said.
According to court records, Clements High School Principal James Brian Shillingburg, 43, was arrested on Monday.
The news shocked parents like Shahid, who has a child who goes to Clements High.
"This is not something that you expect from the principal of a high school, but we need to know all of the facts," he said. "I usually don't share anything with my wife, but this was something I immediately shared with her, we were really concerned about this situation."
James Brian Shillingburg (Photo: Fort Bend County Sheriffs Office))
Court records say a detective with Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office. along with other authorities were conducting an operation, called "Operation Naughty List," to identify and arrest sex buyers in order to reduce the demand for victimized sex workers at a Holiday Inn Express at 5007 Highway 6 in Missouri City.
Court documents state Detective Desoto with HPD was assigned to work undercover and posted advertisements to websites known for prostitution.
Desoto met with Shillingburg in the hotel room, and he agreed to participate in sexual intercourse and deviant sexual intercourse for $90.
Law enforcement took the 43-year-old into custody once the case was made.
Zenya, a student at Clements, says it makes her feel unsafe at school.
"I was shocked, because I would talk to him every day. He was my principal," she said. "I think we should be more careful with who we put in our education system."
According to the school’s website, Shillingburg has served as principal since 2022.
In a statement, Fort Bend ISD confirmed Shillingburg's arrest and said, "We are committed to ensuring there is no disruption to instruction and a smooth administrative transition."
Court documents state the principal's bond has been set at $5,000 in Fort Bend County. He posted that bond and left the jail Tuesday night.
Shillingburg's next court hearing is set for January 22, 2024, at 1 p.m.