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Former Churchill HS teacher arrested in case involving 15-year-old student, police say

John Ghrist, 36, was taken into custody on Tuesday night

Booking photo for John Grist (Bexar County Jail)

SAN ANTONIO – A former Churchill High School teacher was arrested in a child sex case involving a female student, according to the Castle Hills Police Department.

John Ghrist, 36, was taken into custody on Tuesday for a charge of online solicitation of a minor, records with the Bexar County Jail show.

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According to an arrest warrant affidavit, a man had reported an “inappropriate relationship” between his 15-year-old daughter and Ghrist to Castle Hills police.

The father told an officer that a letter from Ghrist was found inside his daughter’s dresser drawer. The affidavit said the letter was sexually explicit and addressed to the student.

The student and her parents made a report to Churchill High School. During a meeting with the principal, it was revealed that Ghrist sent the student inappropriate messages on Remind, an app where teachers and families can communicate.

Additional sexually explicit messages were sent via Snapchat, the affidavit states.

The affidavit said a Castle Hills police officer later met with the Churchill High School principal and recommended Ghrist’s termination.

A spokesperson for the Northeast Independent School District said Ghrist resigned from his position at Churchill High School in June.


About the Author
Spencer Heath headshot

Spencer Heath is a Digital Journalist at KSAT. Spencer graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied Radio-Television-Film. He’s worked as a journalist in San Antonio since June of 2022. Outside the newsroom, he enjoys watching movies and spending time with family.

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