Ex-Dickinson teacher surrenders, is charged with improper conduct

GALVESTON — A former teacher at Dickinson High School surrendered to police Tuesday and was charged with having an improper relationship with a female student, authorities said.

Justin Michael Devera, 32, turned himself in to League City police about 9 a.m. and was booked on the charge, which carries a minimum prison term of five years and a maximum of life in prison.

Neither the Dickinson ISD nor police offered details of the alleged improper conduct, but the section of the Texas penal code that Devera is charged with violating makes it unlawful for a teacher to engage in “sexual contact, sexual intercourse, or deviate sexual intercourse with a person who is enrolled in a public or private primary or secondary school at which the employee works.”

Devera is accused of having an improper relationship with a 17-year-old student, authorities said.

He was placed on administrative leave last week after the allegations surfaced and resigned Monday, school officials said.

Police said the investigation began after a Dickinson ISD school liaison officer reported that Devera might be involved in a relationship with a student.

Authorities were not immediately able to say how long Devera taught at Dickinson ISD or what subjects he taught.

Public records show that Devera lives at a Friendswood address with four other persons with the same last name. A male voice answered the phone, saying, “I’m sorry, I have no comment,” before hanging up the phone.

Records show that he also was listed as principal in a Friendswood company named Audiowave Productions. No one answered the phone at the business number.