Former Texas Coach Arrested After Alleged Use of AI 'Manipulation Plan' to Groom Teen

Matthan Lough, 32, a former teacher and coach in Texas, was arrested on Dec. 10 on a charge of child grooming after prosecutors say he used an AI-generated document to outline tactics for manipulating a 17-year-old girl, local reporting states.

Allegations and Investigation

Authorities say the alleged victim attended the Christian Center of Mesquite, where Lough's father had served as senior pastor until resigning on Nov. 23. Lough later became the girl's volleyball coach. The investigation began in early October after the victim's mother discovered what police described as inappropriate text messages and contacted law enforcement.

Matthan Lough, a former teacher and volleyball coach, faces one count of child grooming in Mesquite, Texas, according to FOX 4.

In a recorded interview cited by investigators, the victim said she first met Lough at a May 2023 gathering celebrating a family member’s graduation. She told police Lough introduced himself while she was playing volleyball and discussed forming a sports team. According to prosecutors, contact between Lough and the teen escalated later: he reportedly asked for her phone number under the pretext of sending a volleyball highlight reel, then moved to sexually explicit messaging and requests for explicit photographs.

Key Incidents

Prosecutors cited three alleged incidents in September that formed the basis for the child grooming charge: Lough allegedly kissed the victim inside a church storage closet, engaged in oral sex with her while his daughter was at a gymnastics class, and met the victim in a parking lot where he is accused of inappropriate touching.

Matthan Lough was arrested on an alleged child grooming charge in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite, Texas, on Dec. 10, 2025.

AI Document And Other Concerns

During the investigation, police reported finding an AI-generated file titled "Hypothetical Counter-Influence Plan." The affidavit describes it as a five-step outline of methods to manipulate women, listing stages such as "stabilize and strengthen her," "plant gentle doubts," "rebuild her autonomy," "shift the power dynamic," and "let her choose."

The victim also told investigators she felt frightened because Lough allegedly had a "step-by-step process" for how to kill someone and carried a concealed firearm, according to the affidavit.

Matthan Lough is accused of using an AI-generated outline to sexually groom a 17-year-old girl after the pair met in the spring of 2023, according to FOX 4.

Responses And Background

Christian Center of Mesquite: "Lough was not an employee of CCM. The Church Board strongly condemns the criminal actions that led to this arrest. Our immediate priority is to support and seek justice for the victim and her family."

Lough previously taught and coached at Pioneer Technology and Arts Academy and served as a club volleyball coach in the area, local reports say. His father, Senior Pastor Kevin Lough, resigned from the church on Nov. 23; officials say he has not been accused of wrongdoing. The Mesquite Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and local reporting indicated that no attorney had been publicly identified for Lough at the time of the reports.

Note: The allegations in this report are based on local reporting and a law enforcement affidavit; criminal charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.