Students Charged with Helping Teacher Burn Car Enter Plea Deal

Two high school students charged with helping their teacher burn her car in return for passing grades entered plea deals, avoiding jail time.

Darwin Arias, 17, and Roger Luna, 18, of Aldine High School each pleaded guilty to an arson charge, prosecutors said this week.

Their former teacher, Tramesha Lashon Fox, 32, still faces arson and insurance fraud charges.

Harris County arson investigators said Fox was at least three months behind on her car payments when she allegedly persuaded the students to steal and burn her 2003 Chevrolet Malibu.

The car was found torched 12 days later in a wooded area near Arias’ home, they said.

Arias and Luna were failing Fox’s class until their final exam, police said. Fox admitted to conspiring with the teens to destroy her car in exchange for passing grades, authorities said.

Both were granted deferred adjudication and placed on four years’ probation. Arias was ordered to perform 300 hours of community service and get his GED. They were also ordered to pay more than $4,500 in restitution.

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