Principal and teacher indicted on fraud charges

Federal prosecutors say Wendy Bailey, former principal at Crosby Elementary in Forney, urged teacher Michael Raymond Roell to change his legal name and hide a 2016 child-indecency charge so he could get hired. Both were indicted on September 16 on conspiracy and wire fraud charges.

The teacher's criminal history

In 2016, Dallas County arrested Roell on a felony count of indecency with a child involving sexual conduct. He was accused of touching a student in the groin area and watching a student use the restroom. A Dallas County court acquitted him in March 2018.

Bailey's initial rejection and reversal

When Roell first applied to Forney ISD in August 2025, Bailey saw his resume and responded with his photo from an old news article about his criminal charge, writing 'No thank you.' Days later, she sent him an interview invitation anyway.

“No thank you. LOLOLOL! Lelt's try again. :)”

The name change coordination

Roell texted Bailey that he had paperwork ready for a legal name change and would file it once she agreed to hire him. Bailey replied that if he wanted to work in education, the name change 'is going to have to be done before you apply anywhere else.'

“It's only my opinion, but if you want to work in education, its going to have to be done before you apply anywhere else.”

False application and quick hiring

After legally changing his name to Johnathan Michael in September 2025, Roell submitted a second application on September 26. He denied using other names, denied sexual-harassment complaints, and falsely stated he had never been charged with crimes involving minors.

Bailey's recommendation sealed the deal

On October 6, 2025, Bailey recommended Roell for the special-education position at Crosby Elementary. Forney ISD offered him the job on October 8 and hired him on October 17 at an annual salary of about $67,700.

New allegations emerge at the school

In May 2026, Texas Rangers arrested Roell after allegations of misconduct involving special-education students at Crosby. He faces state charges including injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury and child grooming, with no disposition yet.

Federal initiative targets 'passing the trash'

The Department of Justice brought charges under Project Safe Schools, a federal initiative targeting failures to report educator misconduct and 'passing the trash,' where educators with known issues move between schools without disclosure.

“This indictment demonstrates the lengths these two defendants went to circumvent a hiring process meant to keep our schools and students safe.”

Potential penalties and next steps

Both Bailey and Roell face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted, plus forfeiture of proceeds from the alleged offenses. Roell has been in federal custody since August 27. Both remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.