Palestine ISD Teacher Arrested

Charged with Improper Relationship between Educator and Student

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

PALESTINE – Information obtained from the city of Palestine indicates the Palestine Police Department has arrested an area teacher for having an improper relationship with a student.

According to Communications and Best Practices Officer Nate Smith, 32-year-old Samantha Woolverton was taken into custody at her home on Tuesday afternoon.

“Woolverton has been transported to the Anderson County Jail and booked on the charge of Improper Relationship between Educator and Student, a second-degree felony,” Smith stated in a media release.

The allegations were brought forward last week and Palestine ISD Public Relations Director Larissa Loveless confirmed an employee (now identified as Woolverton) had been placed on administrative leave.

The investigation is ongoing.

According to Section 12.33 of the Texas Penal Code, “An individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the second degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 20 years or less than two years. In addition to imprisonment, an individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the second degree may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.”

Woolverton is being held on a $75,000 bond.

Will Johnson may be reached via e-mail at [email protected].