Michael Ralph Fouse, a science teacher at Berkner High School in Richardson, was arrested by local police and charged with online solicitation of a minor. The felony charge was filed following his booking into the Richardson Jail on August 28, 2026. A bond of $20,000 was set for the 2020-certified physical science educator.
Richardson Independent School District administrators notified parents that Fouse was placed on administrative leave immediately after the arrest. The district stated it filed the required report with the Texas Education Agency and is adhering to established protocols for such allegations.
Officials noted that Fouse is in his sixth year of teaching at the school and had passed all necessary background checks and certification verifications prior to being hired.
In a message to families, the district said it was not aware of any prior concerns regarding Fouse’s conduct while employed by the district. However, administrators asked parents to discuss the situation with their students and to share any relevant information with the Richardson Police Department investigation. The police investigation division provided a contact number for anyone with information.
This is not the first recent child sex crime charge involving a Berkner High School staff member. Earlier in August 2026, Chuck Brandon, a retired speech teacher and girls’ soccer coach at the school, was arrested for possessing large quantities of child sexual abuse material. Brandon had previously been arrested on a similar charge in 2023.