Bluegrass

Former Wylie East principal arrested

by | Jun 11, 2026 | Area News, Education, Latest

Wylie Police have filed a second charge against a former assistant principal at Wylie East High School.

Detective Alexandra Waters, a police public information officer, said the Criminal Investigations Division arrested Zachary Christian Neu on Thursday, June 4, on a second-degree felony charge alleging soliciting prostitution or other activity with a payor person under the age of 18.

Waters said Neu, a 32-year-old Richardson resident, was accused of offering to buy alcohol and lingerie for a recent 2026 Wylie East graduate “in exchange for sexual conduct.” 

Police later identified a second victim after executing a search warrant on Neu’s personal devices, Waters said in a Friday, June 5, release. 

“Neu is also being charged with improper relationship between educator and student,” Waters said. Court records show he was transferred Friday to the Collin County Detention Center, where he was held on two bonds totaling $1.5 million. No attorney for his case was noted.

Wylie Independent School District said Neu was hired as a science teacher at Wylie East HS in August 2017, promoted to dean of students in July 2024 and then assistant principal in January 2026.

“His employment with the district ended today,” April Cunningham, chief communications officer for WISD, said after police announced Neu’s arrest.

In a letter to Wylie East parents, WISD Superintendent Kim Spicer said the district had been cooperating with police.

“While I am limited in the details I can provide due to the ongoing criminal investigation, I want to be absolutely clear — the allegations being investigated are serious and wholly inconsistent with the standards we expect of our employees,” Spicer said.

“Educators hold positions of authority and are entrusted with tremendous responsibility,” she said. “As adults, they are expected to exercise sound judgment and understand that they are responsible for maintaining appropriate boundaries and relationships with students at all times.”

The superintendent said district employees should never engage in private communication with a student through personal social media or other unofficial channels. 

“Electronic communication between students and staff should occur only through official district platforms, such as district email or Wylie ISD Connect (ParentSquare),” Spicer said. “These rules exist to protect students and staff, maintain transparency, and ensure accountability.”

She thanked the graduate and their family for reporting their concerns to law enforcement. 

“Speaking up when something feels wrong takes courage, and their actions allowed the matter to be investigated quickly,” she said.

Stay informed. Support your local community newspaper — subscribe to The Sachse News.

Bluegrass

0 Comments

Subscribe Love

Related News

Radio club hosts licensing course

Radio club hosts licensing course

The N5SAC Amateur Radio Club held a general class licensing course recently for students interested in upgrading their licenses. Courtesy photo Nearly 90% of participants earned their General Class amateur radio license during a licensing course and Field Day...

read more
Saving lives one mile at a time

Saving lives one mile at a time

Day in, day out for nearly a decade, volunteer drivers with Families to Freedom have shown up at hospitals, police stations and carefully arranged meeting spots to transport people escaping abuse. Sometimes the passenger is a woman carrying little more than a purse...

read more
County weighs $820M bond

County weighs $820M bond

Collin County commissioners on Monday received a report outlining a possible bond issue election that could appear on the November ballot. The county could seek $820 million in bonds to fund several projects, including  a major expansion of the county jail, which...

read more
2 Fishes Project opens registration

2 Fishes Project opens registration

The 2 Fishes Project is now accepting applications for families in need of Christmas gift assistance.  Courtesy photo While many North Texans are planning Fourth of July cookouts and looking forward to fireworks, Danielle Girdano is already thinking about Christmas....

read more
Body cameras enhance NCTCOG police academy training

Body cameras enhance NCTCOG police academy training

A NCTCOG recruit wears a body cam. Courtesy photo The North Central Texas Council of Governments Regional Police Academy is expanding its use of technology to better prepare future law enforcement officers by incorporating Motorola Solutions V700 body cameras into...

read more
City Missions supports homeless individuals

City Missions supports homeless individuals

City Missions volunteers fill bags with necessities to distribute directly to homeless individuals in Plano and surrounding cities. Courtesy City Missions Serving the community for more than five years, City Missions continues to provide essentials to individuals...

read more
Subscribe Love