BREAKING: Former Selma High teacher issued pass to leave jail

Published 4:18 pm Monday, June 2, 2014

Former Selma High Teacher and convicted sex offender Latangela Williams could serve more time in jail after potentially violating the terms of her jail sentence.

Latangela was issued a pass to leave jail Sunday, according to deputies at the jail. District Attorney Michael Jackson said she was allowed to leave jail from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and attend a church anniversary service at her father Curtis Williams’ church. Curtis Williams is also a Dallas County Commissioner.

A picture, posted on Latangela sister’s Instagram, also shows the pair at church on Sunday.

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Jackson said Latangela’s leave violated the terms of her sentence. The sentence, issued in April, was 10 years in jail, which was suspended for 14 months in jail and three years of probation. The sentence didn’t include any work release or early leave, he said. Though, Curtis Williams previously requested work release for Latangela, which was denied by Dallas County Probate Judge Kim Ballard, Dallas County Sheriff Harris Huffman and District Attorney Michael Jackson.

“We are going to address it and it isn’t going to be forgotten,” he said. “She is supposed to serve an absolute amount of time.”

If Circuit Judge Jack Meigs finds a violation occurred, Jackson said Latangela Williams would serve her original sentence — 10 years.

“She is a registered sex offender and an ex teacher who got in trouble for messing with students sexually and just got out like the jail is a hotel,” Jackson said. “There should be no difference between [Latangila] and another prisoner.”

Jackson said he wasn’t sure who granted leave.

Huffman didn’t return calls requesting comment and Dallas County Jail Warden David Brown declined to comment without receiving permission.

Jackson said he plans to file a motion Tuesday to move Latangela to a different facility.

“It obviously isn’t working out like it should,” Jackson said. “It’s like she has the keys to the jail.”