Tupelo teacher accused of sexual relationship with student, charged with multiple child sex crimes

TUEPLO, Okla. (KXII) - Tupelo High School’s ag teacher and FFA advisor has been charged with multiple felonies and stands accused of having a sexual relationship with a student.

According to Oklahoma court documents filed Monday, Tupelo Public Schools superintendent Kevin Mann contacted the Coal County Sheriff’s Office in February about allegations made against Tyler Cole Frizzell, 32, having inappropriate relations with a student last May.

Mann told authorities then that Frizzell had been suspended with pay, pending the outcome of an investigation.

Deputies then interviewed the victim that same day and a forensic interview was conducted the next day.

The victim, a 16-year-old female student, told investigators that she had sex with Frizzell at the school last May and that she had sent and received sexually explicit messages with him via the social media app, Snapchat.

A search warrant was obtained to search Frizzell’s cell phone and Snapchat account. Evidence collected corroborated an inappropriate relationship had taken place between Frizzell and the girl.

In another forensic interview conducted in April, three students told investigators they had seen inappropriate photos of Frizzell on the victim’s phone.

Felony charges of second degree rape, exploitation of child pornography, and possession of child sexual abuse material were filed against Frizzell on Monday.

A warrant for Frizzell’s arrest was issued Monday. Coal County Sheriff Jason Smith told News 12 that Frizzell turned himself in Tuesday evening.

Tupelo Public Schools said in a statement Tuesday that Frizzell was suspended at banned from school property on February 11, that they have fully cooperated with law enforcement’s investigation, and that they recommended in their February board meeting that Frizzell be dismissed from his employment with the district. The school board then voted to schedule a hearing before the Board of Education on April 16, which is required by law before Frizzell can be dismissed.

A district official told News 12 Tuesday that Frizzell had resigned from his position with Tupelo Public Schools.

“This district has aggressively addressed the issues regarding Mr. Frizzell while meeting its complex obligations,” superintendent Kevin Mann said in the statement.

“As always, our commitment is to educate our students in the safest possible environment and that is what we have done and will continue to do.”

The school district said it would provide an update following the April 16th board meeting and hearing.

This is a developing story. Check back and tune into News 12 Tuesday for updates.