CCSD Police: Basic Academy teacher arrested for student relationship

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — July 7, 2026

Former Basic Academy band teacher Cole Horton has avoided prison after reaching an Alford plea deal with prosecutors.

He was sentenced to two years on probation after agreeing to plead to one count of contact or attempting to contact a minor for the purpose of criminal activity.

Conditions of his probation include no alcohol, no controlled substances, no weapons, he can't be in contact with minors, and he must get a full-time job. If he can't find a full-time job, he will be required to complete 80 hours of community service per month.

April 3, 2026

On Friday, April 3, Channel 13 obtained a copy of a court document stating that Cole Horton took an Alford plea deal.

The deal outlines his agreement to spend between one and five years in prison, pay a fine up to $5,000, and plead guilty to one count of unlawful contact with a child.

Horton is scheduled for sentencing on July 1.

Sept. 4, 2025

On Thursday, the CCSD Police Department shared that they have arrested a CCSD employee "on charges related to an inappropriate relationship with an individual who was a student during the 2024-25 school year."

This information comes one day after CCSD Police arrested a Basic Academy student for bringing a loaded gun to school. Authorities did not confirm if these two events were related.

30-year-old Cole Horton, a band teacher, was "last assigned to Basic Academy of International Studies," police said. He was put on paid leave following the "negotiated agreement with the bargaining unit," officials shared.

CCSD Police said that Horton was booked into the Clark County Detention Center.