The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office arrested Howe High School’s Andrew Harvey, charged with multiple felonies in a child solicitation sting.
HOWE, Texas — Andrew Harvey, athletic director and head football coach at Howe High School, has been arrested on multiple felony charges following an undercover operation conducted by the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office Human Trafficking/Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit.
According to a letter sent to Howe ISD families, the district was notified on June 24 of Harvey’s arrest, which happened the day before.
He faces charges including online solicitation of a minor for sexual conduct, solicitation of prostitution involving a person under 18, and the sale, distribution, or display of harmful material to a minor.
The charges stem from an undercover operation coordinated by the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO). The department said in a news release that an undercover officer posed as a minor online and was contacted by a suspect who continued the conversation, believing they were speaking with a child. On Monday, June 23, the suspect arranged a meeting at a public location, where marked sheriff’s units intervened and arrested him.
The suspect was identified as 35-year-old Andrew Harvey, who had been employed by Howe ISD since June 2022. According to the school district, Harvey passed a fingerprint-based background check prior to his hiring.
In response to the arrest, Howe ISD said Harvey was immediately placed on administrative leave and is barred from all district property and contact with students or staff during the investigation.
“Howe ISD takes any allegations or charges involving a child seriously,” the district stated. “The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority.”
The Howe ISD athletic booster club said in a statement, “The board believes that ANY exploitation of a child is abhorrent and those responsible should face the HARSHEST penalty possible for fracturing the innocence of a child. We stand ready to help and be of assistance in any way we can as these student athletes work to get better in anticipation of the coming school year.”
Harvey has been released on bail, according to Tarrant County jail records. School district officials say they are cooperating fully with law enforcement.