Liberty, Texas – May 22, 2025 — A former Cleveland ISD teacher and youth pastor was sentenced Thursday to two 20-year prison terms after being convicted on charges related to the sexual assault of a student. The sentencing took place in the 75th State District Court in Liberty County, with visiting District Judge Kaycee Jones presiding.
Alexander Oveal Jr., 35, of Humble, Texas, was found guilty of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and Improper Relationship Between Educator and Student. The jury handed down the guilty verdicts following several days of emotional testimony, ultimately recommending the maximum allowable punishment. Judge Jones ordered the two 20-year sentences to run concurrently, meaning Oveal will serve both sentences at the same time in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system.
Arrest and Investigation
Oveal was arrested on October 10, 2022, after allegations surfaced that he had engaged in a sexual relationship with a female student at Cleveland Middle School, where he taught seventh-grade Texas history. The student, whose identity remains confidential due to her age, came forward with details of the abuse, prompting an investigation by the Cleveland ISD Police Department and local law enforcement.
Just a day after his arrest, Oveal posted a $100,000 bond and was released from custody pending trial. Cleveland ISD immediately placed him on administrative leave and began an internal investigation in coordination with authorities.
The school district’s Superintendent, Stephen McCanless, issued a statement reaffirming the district’s commitment to student safety and cooperation with law enforcement. “We take these matters seriously and will do everything in our power to protect our students,” McCanless said. “There is no room for this type of behavior in our schools.”
Community Shock and Reactions
Oveal’s arrest sent shockwaves through the community. In addition to his role as a teacher, Oveal was a youth pastor and president of the youth department at The People’s Church of Houston, affiliated with the Church of God in Christ. His dual positions of trust — both in education and in the church — left many in disbelief.
He had previously been recognized as Teacher of the Year for the 2021–2022 school year and was honored as Teacher of the Week by local media in 2019. Those accolades now stand in stark contrast to the crimes he was convicted of.
Parents and community members expressed outrage, not just over the crime itself but also over the perceived delay in communication from the school district. Some parents reported learning about the arrest through media or social media platforms before receiving any formal notification from school officials.
“I trusted him with my child,” one parent said during a school board meeting. “We need accountability, not silence.”
Trial and Sentencing
During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence detailing the inappropriate relationship, including messages exchanged between Oveal and the student. The victim, now in high school, gave compelling testimony that contributed significantly to the jury’s verdict.
In closing arguments, prosecutors emphasized the violation of trust and the predatory nature of Oveal’s actions. “This was not a lapse in judgment. This was a deliberate, repeated exploitation of a child by someone in a position of authority,” the prosecutor said.
The defense did not deny the relationship but attempted to argue for leniency in sentencing, citing Oveal’s prior achievements and community involvement. The jury, however, was unmoved.
Judge Kaycee Jones echoed the jury’s sentiment in her remarks before sentencing. “Your role was to guide, protect, and educate,” she said to Oveal in court. “Instead, you abused that trust in the most reprehensible way.”
Aftermath and Policy Review
Cleveland ISD has since conducted a review of its hiring and reporting procedures to identify any gaps that may have contributed to delayed detection of misconduct. The district has also increased training for staff to recognize signs of abuse and understand mandatory reporting requirements.
Superintendent McCanless has pledged greater transparency moving forward. “We are determined to restore the trust of our community,” he stated. “Our children deserve to learn in an environment free of fear.”
Oveal will not be eligible for parole until he has served at least half of his sentence — ten years — due to the nature of the crimes.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual abuse, help is available. Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit RAINN.org.
