Caleb Elliott, a 26-year-old teacher and football coach in Celina, Texas, has been federally indicted on eight counts alleging he coerced minors into sexually explicit acts to produce images. The indictment alleges the conduct occurred between April 8 and Oct. 2 and involved eight alleged victims about 12–15 years old. A separate civil lawsuit by multiple families accuses Elliott of additional misconduct, including forcing a student to perform nude jumping jacks. Elliott surrendered his teaching certificate Oct. 27 and is being held on a $350,000 bond; each federal count carries up to 30 years if convicted.
Texas Coach Indicted on Eight Federal Counts Accused of Filming Students in School Showers
Caleb Elliott, a 26-year-old teacher and football coach in Celina, Texas, has been federally indicted on eight counts alleging he coerced minors into sexually explicit acts to produce images. The indictment alleges the conduct occurred between April 8 and Oct. 2 and involved eight alleged victims about 12–15 years old. A separate civil lawsuit by multiple families accuses Elliott of additional misconduct, including forcing a student to perform nude jumping jacks. Elliott surrendered his teaching certificate Oct. 27 and is being held on a $350,000 bond; each federal count carries up to 30 years if convicted.
07:51 AM, 11/18/2025Society
Celina, Texas — Federal Indictment and Civil Suit Allege Abuse by Teacher-Coach
Caleb Elliott, a 26-year-old sixth-grade social studies teacher and football coach in the Celina Independent School District, has been federally indicted on eight counts alleging he coerced minors into sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions, authorities say.
According to federal court records, a grand jury returned the indictment on Nov. 12. The charges allege Elliott used internet connections and digital devices he owned to coerce eight victims — boys reported to be roughly 12 to 15 years old — to engage in sexually explicit acts between April 8 and Oct. 2. The indictment describes the alleged conduct as employing, persuading, inducing, enticing and coercing minors to perform such acts with the intent that images or videos would be transported or transmitted.
The federal case follows Elliott's arrest on Nov. 7, after an earlier October arrest in which he was released. Collin County Jail records show he is being held on a $350,000 bond. Elliott surrendered his Texas teaching certificate on Oct. 27, according to Texas Education Agency records.
Civil Lawsuit Alleges Additional Misconduct
Separately, multiple families have filed a civil lawsuit naming Elliott as a co-defendant and suing Celina ISD. The complaint alleges several incidents of abusive conduct, including one described as Elliott confiscating a student’s backpack and ordering the student (identified in the filing as John Doe) to perform nude jumping jacks to retrieve it.
Attorney Paul Herz, who represents a group of families, told PEOPLE the suit began on behalf of three families and has since grown to include about a dozen. Herz said the primary objective of the civil action’s discovery phase is to uncover facts and provide answers for families rather than to pursue large settlements.
The complaint also alleges Elliott had a relationship with a student while serving as a receivers coach at Celina High School during the 2022–2023 school year, and that he was later reassigned to Moore Middle School after district officials became aware of alleged misconduct. According to the complaint, his father, Bill Elliott, serves as a principal and the district's athletic director; the suit alleges the reassignment was handled quietly by the district. Herz also alleges Elliott continued a relationship with the same individual after that person turned 18; that individual is not currently a plaintiff in the civil suit.
Possible Penalties and Responses
If convicted on the federal counts, Elliott faces up to 30 years in prison for each count, according to the indictment. PEOPLE has reached out to Elliott’s attorney, Celina ISD, the Texas Education Agency and the Department of Family and Protective Services for comment.
Presumption of innocence: These are allegations. Elliott is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Resources
If you suspect child abuse or need help, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child). Calls are toll-free, confidential and available 24/7 in multiple languages. For more information, visit www.childhelp.org.