HEB ISD principal resigns; is back in jail facing federal charge

An elementary school principal from the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD accused of online solicitation of a minor is back in jail, and he has resigned from his position.

Oscar Figueroa, 46, now faces federal charges of child exploitation. He was arrested by Homeland Security investigators Thursday afternoon, just one day after bonding out of the Frisco City Jail.

Frisco police said 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.

Court documents are sealed, so little is known about how or why Figueroa tried to solicit a minor.

Figueroa appeared in court on Monday with a small army of supporters.

During the hearing, Figueroa's attorney presented the judge with about 40 letters from people attesting to his client’s character.

If convicted on the federal charge, Figueroa could spend a minimum of 10 years in prison and up to a life sentence.

Former U.S. Attorney Richard Roper, who is not a part of this case, says Homeland Security is involved because the alleged crime happened over the Internet.

“The federal charge usually involves something involving interstate commerce,” said Roper. “Which here, the use of the Internet would be the nexus that would give federal authorities jurisdiction to prosecute him.”

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

Figueroa reportedly attends Freedom of Life Church in Carrollton.

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