Angelo N. Barone, 25, was arrested on October 14, 2024, after being accused of child grooming involving three Pilot Point ISD High School students, ages 14-15. Barone is charged with Child Grooming, a third-degree felony under Texas Penal Code 15.032.
The Pilot Point ISD Police Department was first notified of the allegations on October 3, 2024. The accusations stemmed from inappropriate communication that began in September 2024, when Barone allegedly used Snapchat to engage with the students. Investigators discovered that all three students were contacted through the social media platform and that Barone gained access to the students via a mutual friend group on Snapchat.
The Pilot Point ISD Police Department immediately launched a criminal investigation into the matter. Working closely with the Texas Department of Public Safety - Criminal Investigations Division, officers collected evidence of Barone’s misconduct. On October 14, Barone was arrested at his place of employment in McKinney, TX.
Barone has since been booked into the Denton County Jail, with his bond set at $20,000. Additional conditions were imposed due to the severity of the offense. Authorities are urging parents to be vigilant about their children's social media activity, as Barone was able to connect with the students despite not being a resident of Pilot Point.
Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact the Pilot Point ISD Police Department at (940) 686-7380. The district reiterated that the safety of students and staff remains their top priority.
