Nixon-Smiley Middle School teacher Allen Mercier arrested

Houston Mercier, 24, worked as PE teacher

A Nixon-Smiley Consolidated Independent School teacher was charged with having an improper relationship with a student Tuesday, a second degree felony.

Houston Mercier, 24, was arrested by Nixon Police without incident Tuesday morning on school property after allegations were made that he had extensive sexual contact with a 14 year-old middle school girl.

The girl's mother made the allegation. Police said Mercier admitted to the charges during the interview process.

"Our district takes its background checks and fingerprinting dry seriously before hiring people," said Cathy Booth, the Nixon CISD Superintendet. "However, as is the case with this teacher, he had no prior criminal history and his references all checked out."

A letter was sent home to parents Wednesday informing them of the situation.

Mercier had only been employed by the district since October of 2012.

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