2025-05-21
Ex-Tascosa High School wrestling coach exchanged 600 pages of texts with alleged victim
Nicholas Herrmann arrives at federal court on May 21, 2025 for his detention hearing (Steve Douglass/KVII)
A former star wrestler and coach at Tascosa High School exchanged over 600 pages of text messages with his alleged victim.
Several of the texts were admitted as evidence in federal court Wednesday during Nicholas Herrmann's detention hearing.
Herrmann is charged with enticement of a minor.
He's accused of having sex with a 17-year-old student at his home on Jan. 25 and Jan. 26.
Cpl. Sean Dewitt with the Amarillo Police Department, who testified for the prosecution, said the first text message between Herrmann and the victim was sent February 5, 2024.
The year long conversation started innocently but eventually became "more flirtatious and sexual," according to prosecutors.
Prosecutor Calandra Woolam read some of the texts from Herrmann to his victim in open court.
Text message from Herrmann to victim: "I'm thinking this is insane, and graduation is so far away, and it's going to feel like f***ing torture."
She asked Dewitt if he thought Herrmann was talking about waiting to have sex with the victim until she turned 18, and after she graduated, was going to be torture. Dewitt said yes.
Text message from Herrmann to victim: "I'd be cooked if we don't (wait)"
Woolam asked Dewitt if he thought that meant Herrmann was acknowledging the potential consequences of having sex with the victim. Dewitt said yes.
Other texts indicate Herrmann also planned to also have sex with her at school.
The prosecutor said Herrmann eventually convinced the victim to sneak out and come to his house in the middle of the night. But they had to be careful because Herrmann had a roommate.
Text messages from Herrmann to victim
- (Jan. 25) 12:10 a.m. "I need you to be here with me."
- (Jan. 25) 12:39 a.m. "I want to make sure, because I'm about to risk it all. You're worth the risk."
At 5 a.m., the victim texted Herrmann to let him know she got home.
The text messages, some of which were read in open court but are too graphic to include with this story, were discovered on the victim's iPad.
When police initially interviewed the victim, she allowed them to search her phone, but there were not any texts to/or from Herrmann on it.
Police have not been able to search Herrmann's phone. When Amarillo ISD Police Chief Paul Bourquin asked him for it in January, Herrmann said he left his phone at home. But Dewitt testified Bourquin saw Herrmann with the phone later in the day.
Dewitt said Bourquin told him Herrmann got in his car and appeared to be deleting text messages. Herrmann then left campus.
The prosecution argued Herrmann is a flight risk and a danger to himself and/or the community. Woolam cited the 20-30 years in prison Herrmann is facing, and that he was "very aware" the victim was a minor.
Woolam said Herrmann clearly could not control himself.
"Knowing the risk, he still satisfied his sexual urges," said Woolam.
Public defender Felipe Zavala argued Herrmann is not a flight risk. He said his client does not have a passport and has strong ties to Amarillo. Zavala said Herrmann can live with his mother if the judge grants his release pending trial, and that he would accept the most serious restrictions, including house arrest.
Judge Lee Ann Reno said she wanted to read all 627 pages of text messages, review Dewitt's testimony, and consider both arguments before making a ruling. Wednesday afternoon Reno granted the prosecution motion for pre-trial detention.
This means he will stay in the Randall County Jail through the trial.
On Tuesday, Herrmann waived the right to his arraignment and was arrested.
Herrmann was initially arrested by Amarillo police on Jan. 31, charged with improper relationship between an educator and student.
Loading...