The Sanger Police Department has concluded their investigation about an alleged video taken at a Sanger High School locker room of Argyle girls basketball players on February 7, 2012.  The investigation centered around “improper photography or visual recording” reportedly taken in the locker room.

The Sanger Police Department released the following statement: “On March 21, 2012, the Sanger Police Department was contacted by Chief Tackett of the Argyle Police Department. Chief Tackett surrendered a copy of an audio/video recording that was alleged to have been made in a Sanger High School locker room, during a game between Sanger and Argyle. The recording was alleged to have been made on February 7, 2012 and was mailed to the Argyle ISD school board prior to the March 19, 2012 meeting. The recording was then viewed by the Sanger Police Department. The recording showed the Argyle girl’s locker room at halftime and also contained audio of the post game conversation in the locker room. The recording appeared to have been edited and the submitted portion did not contain any inappropriate images of the Argyle players. During the investigation of this incident, the Sanger Police Department received information implicating former Argyle ISD board member Wendee Long, and her daughter. Further investigation lead to the recovery of an unedited portion of the locker room recording. The recovered portion of the recording only contained audio and no inappropriate images were found. Upon completion, this case will be submitted to the Denton County District Attorney’s Office for review.”

Argyle’s varsity girls head coach Skip Townsend, hired from Brock last year after leading Brock to multiple state championships, has become the victim of the ire of one, or possible more, parents of girls basketball players in the Argyle school district.

Over spring break of this year, an anonymous survey was mailed to the homes of Argyle High School girls basketball players, asking recipients about the children’s playing time on both the JV and varsity teams, if they were satisfied with their child’s playing time, and whether they were satisfied with the performance of Townsend. The survey listed a return address to Argyle ISD, yet Argyle ISD emphatically denies that the survey was sent by the district, saying the return address was used without permission.

Since that time, many supporters of Townsend, both parents of players and community members, have rallied behind him, speaking at school board meetings and communicating their staunch support of Townsend to school officials.

The video, which had been edited, was first sent anonymously to Argyle ISD Superintendent Telena Wright as well as Argyle ISD board members. It was immediately turned over to Argyle police, who then gave the video to Sanger police since the incident occurred in Sanger.


Courtesy of The Sanger Courier