Former Wylie East assistant principal faces new federal child exploitation charges

Wylie families are now seeing a case that began as a local arrest turn into a federal child exploitation prosecution. Zachary Christian Neu, 32, of Richardson, was indicted in the Eastern District of Texas on two counts of enticement of a minor after investigators said he used his role as assistant principal at Wylie East High School to pursue sexual contact with a student.

The federal case followed a June 4 arrest on state allegations tied to soliciting prostitution from a minor and improper relationship between an educator and student. Investigators said Neu offered to buy alcohol and lingerie for a recent 2026 Wylie East graduate in exchange for sexual conduct, and police later identified a second victim after searching his personal devices. Neu was being held in the Collin County Detention Center on two bonds totaling $1.5 million.

Court records described messages that prompted the case, beginning with a recent graduate who reported inappropriate communication. A coach then contacted police after the graduate said Neu had asked to meet up and suggested they shower together. Investigators said the student allowed officers to access her accounts and keep communicating with Neu while posing as her. The alleged messages included references to the student as his “favorite student,” reminders that things would need to stay secret, and continued contact after she said she was not yet 18. Authorities also said Neu discussed meeting in person, asked about showering together, sent shirtless photos, talked about having sex, invited the student to spend the night at his house and offered alcohol and $20 for lingerie.

Police then said a second affidavit pointed to another Wylie East student who is expected to be a senior next year. Investigators said Neu first messaged that student on TikTok in March before moving the conversation to text, sending photos in underwear and receiving images of the student in a bra and panties.

Wylie ISD said Neu had been hired as a science teacher in August 2017, promoted to dean of students in July 2024 and named assistant principal in January 2026. Superintendent Kim Spicer said the district was cooperating with police and called the allegations “serious and wholly inconsistent” with district standards. She also said employees should never communicate privately with students through personal social media or other unofficial channels, and that electronic communication should go only through official district platforms such as district email or Wylie ISD Connect. Spicer thanked the graduate and family for coming forward, while police urged other parents with concerns to contact the department.

The Justice Department said the federal indictment was announced June 17 and that Neu appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Aileen Durrett that day. The case is being investigated by the Wylie Police Department and the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Calli Bailey under Project Safe Childhood, a Justice Department initiative launched in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.