Authorities said they arrested a North Mesquite High School band director at a Lakewood restaurant Wednesday after he tried to meet a 13-year-old boy for sex.
A Dallas detective posing as the teen on the dating app Grindr said James Earl Cude sent him multiple messages describing how he wanted to perform sex acts on the boy, the Dallas Morning News reported.
The pair agreed to meet at a Lakewood restaurant, where Cude was arrested. A spokeswoman for the Dallas Police Department said the name of the restaurant could not be released at this time.
Cude was booked into the Dallas County jail on a charge of online solicitation of a minor. He posted $15,000 bail Thursday morning, according to the Morning News.
The 54-year-old, who has taught for more than 30 years, was in his first year directing the North Mesquite band. He also taught music and led the wind ensemble. District officials told the Morning News that Cude is on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation.
