Who Is Michael Fouse? Berkner High School Teacher Arrest

Michael Ralph Fouse is a 41-year-old science teacher at Berkner High School in Richardson, Texas, who was arrested on August 28, 2026, and charged with online solicitation of a minor, a third-degree felony. Richardson Police say the investigation began after detectives received a tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Police later executed both an arrest warrant and a search warrant at Fouse’s Richardson home. Richardson Independent School District immediately placed him on administrative leave.

Michael Fouse Arrest

Fouse Was Arrested On August 28, 2026. Richardson Police Department detectives arrested Michael Ralph Fouse at his residence in Richardson after obtaining an arrest warrant. Police said he was taken into custody without incident. [Richardson Police]

Police Also Searched Fouse’s Home. Detectives executed a search warrant at the residence at the same time they arrested Fouse. Authorities have not publicly detailed what evidence, if any, was seized during the search. [Richardson Police]

Fouse Was Booked Into The Richardson Jail. Texas Scorecard reported that Fouse was booked on August 28 following his arrest. [Texas Scorecard]

Bond Was Set At $20,000. Jail information cited by Texas Scorecard listed Fouse’s bond at $20,000. [Texas Scorecard]

Online Solicitation Of A Minor Charge

Fouse Is Charged With Online Solicitation Of A Minor. Richardson Police identified the charge as online solicitation of a minor, which is classified in this case as a third-degree felony. [Richardson Police]

Police Have Not Yet Publicly Released Detailed Allegations About The Communications. As of August 29, Richardson Police have not disclosed the alleged victim’s age, the online platform involved, the specific communications attributed to Fouse, or whether investigators allege that an in-person meeting occurred. [Richardson Police]

NCMEC Tip Started The Investigation

The Investigation Began On August 20. Richardson Police said detectives opened the case on August 20, 2026, after receiving information concerning Fouse. [Richardson Police]

The Tip Came From The National Center For Missing & Exploited Children. NCMEC forwarded the information that prompted Richardson detectives to begin investigating Fouse. [Richardson Police] [NBC 5]

Police Obtained Warrants Eight Days After The Investigation Began. Detectives subsequently secured both the arrest warrant and the warrant authorizing the search of Fouse’s home. [CBS Texas]

Michael Fouse At Berkner High School

Fouse Worked As A Science Teacher At Berkner High School. Richardson Police identified Fouse as a teacher at Berkner High School, and the school’s staff directory listed Michael Fouse in its science department. [Richardson Police] [Berkner High School]

Fouse Was In His Sixth Year At Berkner High School. Richardson ISD told parents that Fouse was beginning his sixth year teaching at the school when he was arrested. [Texas Scorecard]

Fouse Held A Texas Physical Science Teaching Certificate. The district said Fouse had held a Texas educator certificate in physical science since 2020. [Texas Scorecard]

District Employment Records Also Identify Him With Science And Career And Technical Education. Public payroll records for Richardson ISD list Fouse as a high-school teacher associated with science and career and technical education. [OpenPayrolls]

Richardson ISD Response

Fouse Was Immediately Placed On Administrative Leave. Richardson ISD said it learned of the criminal charge early on August 28 and immediately removed Fouse from active duties. [CBS Texas] [NBC 5]

The District Reported The Matter To The Texas Education Agency. Administrators told Berkner families that Richardson ISD made the required report to the state education agency after learning of Fouse’s arrest. [Texas Scorecard]

Richardson ISD Said It Was Not Aware Of Previous Conduct Concerns Involving Fouse. The district told families that it had not been aware of concerns involving his behavior while employed by RISD. [Texas Scorecard]

The District Said Fouse Passed Required Employment Screening. Richardson ISD said Fouse underwent required background checks and educator-certification verification before being hired. [Texas Scorecard]

District Asks Families For Information

Berkner High School Families Were Asked To Speak With Their Students. The district encouraged parents to ask students whether they had information about Fouse that could be relevant to the police investigation. [Texas Scorecard]

Richardson Police Are Seeking Additional Information. Detectives asked anyone with information related to Fouse or the investigation to contact the Richardson Police Department Investigation Division at 972-744-4893. [Richardson Police]

Police And Richardson ISD Continue Investigating

Richardson Police Say The Investigation Remains Active. Detectives said they are continuing to gather evidence after Fouse’s arrest. [Richardson Police]

Police Are Working Directly With Richardson ISD. The department said investigators are coordinating with district officials to obtain additional information connected to the case. [Richardson Police]

No Additional Alleged Victims Have Been Publicly Announced. As of August 29, authorities have not publicly announced additional complainants or additional criminal charges against Fouse.

Case Status

Fouse Faces One Publicly Announced Felony Charge. As of August 29, 2026, Richardson Police have announced one count of online solicitation of a minor. [Richardson Police]

The Case Is At An Early Stage. Fouse was arrested only one day before this update, and no publicly reported indictment, guilty plea, trial, dismissal or final disposition has occurred.

The Charge Remains An Allegation. Fouse has been arrested and accused of a felony offense but has not been convicted. [CBS Texas]