Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD principal accused of online solicitation of a minor

An elementary school principal from the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD was arrested for the online solicitation of a minor.

Frisco police said 46-year-old Oscar Figueroa was caught in a sting operation. He showed up at the Stonebriar Center Mall in Frisco Tuesday afternoon to meet someone he thought was a child.

But police said his contact online was actually an undercover officer. No actual children were ever contacted during the operation.

Figueroa was being held at the Frisco city jail with a $10,000 bond. He made bail on Wednesday afternoon and was released.

Figueroa, a married father of three, is the principal at Viridian Elementary School in North Arlington. He has been with the H-E-B school district since 2007.

“Mr. Figueroa would show up early in the morning and be in the parking lot and stay very late at night, so he seemed very dedicated to his job,” said parent Andrew Houtz, who has an 8-year-old who attends Viridian.

Houtz says the allegations are concerning.

"I don't feel violated,” he said. “It’s more of a threat. I just had a talk with my 8-year-old son that if he ever encounters anyone touching him inappropriately, whether a teacher or someone in the school, to come and tell us."

Houtz says the conversation was uncomfortable, but necessary

"I'd rather be talking about Pokémon and Minecraft, but that's an important discussion to have with your children,” said Houtz.

The district has Figueroa on paid administrative leave during the investigation.

Figueroa reportedly attends Freedom of Life Church in Carrollton.

An employee there says he served as an usher for services last Sunday. The employee didn’t comment on the arrest and only said "We're praying for him. We're praying for the church and will let the justice process take its course."

Anyone who thinks their child may have been a victim should call the Frisco Police Department.