TEXAS CITY – A Texas City High School math teacher and powerlifting coach was arrested Tuesday after allegedly arranging to meet a person he believed to be a 15-year-old girl for sex — who was actually an undercover detective.

According to a press release from Harris County Constable Precinct 1, 55-year-old John Derrick Taylor of Manvel was taken into custody by detectives with the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit. Taylor is accused of using a social media app to engage in sexually explicit conversations and send graphic photos, ultimately planning to meet the undercover officer at a hotel.

Taylor, who serves as both a boys and girls powerlifting coach at Texas City High School, had just finished working with students in the school’s field house at the time of his arrest. Officials said he has also previously worked in other districts across the region, including Fort Stockton in West Texas.

“It is especially unfortunate that a teacher would be involved in such alleged despicable acts,” said Constable Alan Rosen. “No matter who they are or where they roam, predators are subject to being pursued by our detectives.”

Taylor has been charged with online solicitation of a minor, a third-degree felony that carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

The Harris County Constable’s Office is urging anyone with information about Taylor’s alleged behavior or possible past victims to contact their Internet Crimes Against Children Unit at 713-222-4929.

Constable Rosen’s office is part of the Houston-Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which works to investigate and prosecute crimes involving child exploitation.