A 32-year-old former Mesquite teacher and club volleyball coach was arrested yesterday after Mesquite police obtained a warrant accusing him of child grooming. Investigators identified the suspect as Matthan Lough of Crandall and say he remains the focus of an active investigation.
How Police Say The Case First Landed On Their Radar
According to reporting by The Dallas Morning News, Mesquite investigators were first alerted on Oct. 2, when a report at the Christian Center of Mesquite on the 4400 block of E. Cartwright Road prompted detectives to open a case. From there, police say they identified a suspect and secured an arrest warrant.
The Dallas Morning News reported that the outlet, not police, named Lough and his Crandall residence, and noted that authorities have not released specifics about any alleged contact with juveniles. The paper also reported that investigators found Lough had prior access to children through earlier employment.
School And Club Officials Respond
Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy stated that the person identified by police is not a PTAA employee for the 2025–2026 school year and said the charter network conducts background checks for staff, contractors, and volunteers, according to a statement reported by CBS Texas.
CBS Texas also reported that Lough previously served as a club volleyball coach for a Mesquite-based team, a role that would have put him in regular contact with young athletes.
What A Grooming Charge Means In Texas
Under the Texas Penal Code, child grooming can be charged as a preparatory offense. The statute generally treats grooming as a third-degree felony, with the possibility of a higher classification if the defendant has certain prior convictions, according to Texas Penal Code section 15.032.
The state also updated its registration rules in 2025 so that grooming convictions fall under the sex offender registration program, which can trigger long-term reporting duties, under Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Because prosecutors must prove intent, grooming cases often involve detailed legal arguments that end up being fought out in court rather than in press releases.
Police Seek More Information From The Public
In a media release shared on Facebook, the Mesquite Police Department said the investigation is ongoing and declined to release further information about any alleged contact with juveniles. Detectives asked anyone with information to call 972-216-6701 and provided a media point of contact for follow-up questions.
Police and school officials have not released additional details beyond their public statements. Local coverage indicates investigators are continuing to interview witnesses and review evidence. The Dallas Morning News reported that church and school representatives were contacted for further comment but had not immediately responded beyond the statements already issued.
