Former Wimberley Independent School District teacher David Schachter has filed a lawsuit against seven individuals within Wimberley ISD, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office and the Hays County District Attorney’s Office alleging his civil rights were violated by “wrongful arrest and malicious prosecution.” On Sept. 26, 2023, Schachter was found not guilty of offensive touching, a class C misdemeanor, following allegations from students in his class at Danforth Junior High in September of 2022.
Schachter also previously worked for San Marcos CISD during his two-decade career as a teacher.
Wimberley ISD and Hays County declined to comment citing the pending litigation.
The lawsuit, filed in the District Court for the Western District of Texas, names then Danforth Junior High Principal Christi Moeller, School Resource Officer Ashley Martinez, Hays County Sheriff Officers James Young and Kenneth Carpenter, Hays County Sheriff Detective Chase Fuller and his supervisor Eugene Carranza as well as Hays County Assistant District Attorney Jessica Rabena.
The lawsuit alleges the school resource officer and principal “made an agreement … to frame Mr. Schachter.” It claims two students were “coached and manipulated” into making false allegations, which the suit claims is on a video that was not reviewed by the detective and supervisors. It also alleges issues with the investigation claiming that Schachter’s co-teacher and the other students present in class at the time of the alleged offensive touching were not interviewed. It alleges that the detective had “failed attempts to pressure the parents of other students in Mr. Schachter’s classroom to make false allegations” as well. It claims that the prosecutor was aware of the “significant problems” with the investigation. Multiple supervisors are accused for failing to intervene or supervise the investigation.
The Wimberley View previously reported on Schachter’s original arrest that stated a tip into Crime Stoppers said Schachter would “touch the students butts, stroke and touch their face and play with their hair.” The affidavit also said the school resource officer “had taken several reports regarding David Schachter touching female students.”
Schachter denied the accusations at the time of his arrest.
The Wimberley View also reported on Schachter’s acquittal when allegations of a “deficient police investigation” were made. In January, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office responded to questions from the Daily Record about the investigation.
“This case obtained a thorough investigation done by not only the School Resource Officer, but also a Hays County Detective,” the statement from HCSO said in January. “All witnesses that were willing to cooperate with an interview spoke with the Detective. Some witnesses were forensically interviewed as well. The case was initiated on September 7th, 2022 and warrants were submitted on September 26th, 2022 to be signed by a Hays County Justice of the Peace. The Sheriff’s Office supports the completed investigation and charges that were placed.”
The lawsuit states that Schachter is seeking damages for “his past and future economic loss from the ruination of his teaching career” as well mental anguish. A jury trial is requested.
