The arrest of a former Lockhart ISD coach has widened into a federal civil rights case that not only accuses the educator of sexual exploitation but also charges the school district with systemic failures that allowed the abuse to occur.
Arrest and Criminal Case
On April 15, Caldwell County deputies arrested Aaron Aguilar of Lockhart on a warrant for sexual performance of a child. He was processed at the Caldwell County Jail, where authorities say additional charges are expected as investigators continue to review evidence.
Aguilar, who once worked as a special education aide, PE aide, and volleyball coach, left Lockhart ISD in March 2024.
Allegations of Grooming and Abuse
The federal complaint, filed August 25 in the Western District of Texas, alleges Aguilar used his position inside Lockhart Junior High to groom and sexually exploit a student beginning in the 2023 school year .
According to the filing, text messages discovered in April 2025 traced back to November 2024 and included lewd videos, coercive language, and threats intended to silence the student. One incident described in the complaint alleges Aguilar cornered the student in a school locker room and engaged in sexual contact, later warning the child not to disclose it.
The lawsuit contends Aguilar exploited his authority as a PE aide to gain phone access and maintain communication, escalating his control with messages such as, “Don’t you love me? … Don’t you want to do this in return for me?”
Claims Against Lockhart ISD
The civil action also turns its focus on the school district, arguing Lockhart ISD failed to uphold its duty to safeguard students despite public commitments to provide a “safe and nurturing environment.”
Key allegations include:
- Prior history of misconduct – The complaint notes that Lockhart ISD had seen staff misconduct cases in 2012, 2017, and 2019, yet failed to implement stronger protective policies.
- Screening failures – It alleges Aguilar should never have been hired, claiming that a proper background review would have revealed risks that made him unsuitable to work with students.
- Lack of training and oversight – The lawsuit asserts that staff were not adequately trained to spot predatory behavior or signs of student abuse, nor were employees properly supervised.
- Title IX deficiencies – The complaint describes the district’s Title IX enforcement as “dysfunctional,” citing inadequate reporting mechanisms and failures to investigate suspicions of sexual abuse .
Impact on the Student
The child at the center of the case has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the lawsuit. The complaint describes “significant traumas,” including prolonged distress, emotional withdrawal, and diminished ability to enjoy school or social life. It seeks damages for ongoing psychological harm, educational disruption, and constitutional violations.
Broader Context
The lawsuit frames the case as part of a broader crisis of educator misconduct. It alleges that Lockhart ISD acted with “reckless indifference,” prioritizing risk management over student protection. The filing emphasizes that Title IX and federal civil rights laws obligate districts to detect, investigate, and remedy sexual abuse by staff.
What’s Next
The federal lawsuit proceeds in parallel, pressing for accountability from both the former coach and the school district. If successful, it could bring not only financial damages but also policy changes within Lockhart ISD.
For Lockhart families, the case raises deeper questions: how many warnings must be ignored before schools fulfill their duty to shield students from those placed in positions of trust?
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One Response
We hired him three years to choreography my Granddaughters quince. And he sure did have about eight junior and high schoolers that worked for him. We didn’t think anything and was going to hire him again for a October quince. Makes me sad and mad at the same time.