Westbury High School’s assistant principal is accused of sexually abusing a 20-year-old former student in September

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — An assistant principal is on leave after being accused of a sex crime against a former student, officials said.

Bryan Tigner, an assistant principal at Westbury High School, was charged with sexual assault last week, according to court records. Former student Malachi Knight-Boyle, 20, said he first met Tigner during his senior year of high school.

“(He) is like a good role model for certain men who don’t have a good male role model in their lives,” Knight-Boyle said.

The 20-year-old said his trust in Tigner grew after he graduated in 2022 and that they started spending time together earlier this year. “He goes out of his way to say, ‘What are you doing tonight? Are you trying to relax?’” he said.

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According to court documents, Knight-Boyle told investigators he was at Tigner’s apartment on Houston’s south side when the alleged assault occurred on Sept. 27.

“We just smoked, drank and played a game,” Knight-Boyle said.

At some point, Knight-Boyle said, he fell asleep and when he woke up he found his pants half-down and Tigner performing a sex act on him.

“It was in his mouth. I just woke up and hit,” Knight-Boyle said, adding that Tigner apologized at the time.

“He said, ‘(expletive), bro. My mistake.’ He simply apologized. Knight-Boyle said he went home and called police.

Tigner, who has since posted $75,000 bail, was arrested Friday.

Investigators said Tigner admitted to the sex act but claimed Knight-Boyle moved closer to him on the sofa and that he took it as an invitation.

“We never sat next to each other that night. Why should I run towards it? That doesn’t make any sense,” Knight-Boyle said.

According to investigators, Tigner said the two had hugged and kissed in the past and that the victim demanded money after the Sept. 27 encounter.

“I don’t kiss men. I have a girlfriend,” Knight-Boyle said. He also added that he rejected Tigner’s unsolicited offers of money.

“He offered me $50 not to tell anyone. That’s exactly what happened,” he said.

On Tuesday night, ABC13 found a shirtless Tigner in his apartment, who then closed the door when we started asking questions.

After what Knight-Boyle says happened to him, he had a lot of questions for his friends.

SEE ALSO: Hardin ISD teacher arrested for alleged inappropriate relationship with female student

“My homeboy told me something similar. Like he had the same type of encounter, a strange encounter with him, but nothing really happened,” Knight-Boyle said.

HISD sent out a statement regarding the matter

“HISD cannot comment on the status of specific personnel matters or investigations. However, the district is aware of the incident and is cooperating with law enforcement as a result of the investigation.”

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