TOMBALL, Texas – A former Houston-area high school football coach is facing two felony charges after a woman told investigators that a sexual relationship with him began when she was 16 years old and he was working at Tomball High School.
Nicholas Alan Codutti, 43, is charged with indecency with a child and sexual performance by a child, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
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HCSO said its Crimes Against Children Unit began investigating on April 29 after a report to Child Protective Services alleged longstanding sexual abuse involving a minor who was a former Tomball ISD student.
Detectives filed charges against Codutti on Sept. 25. He was arrested the following day by members of HCSO’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team with assistance from patrol deputies, according to the sheriff’s office.
Codutti’s attorney, Ryan Fremuth, told KPRC 2 on Sunday that his client denies the allegations and intends to plead not guilty.
“We are asserting his innocence and denying the allegations as they are presented,” Fremuth said.
“He denies that he ever sexually abused a child,” Fremuth added, saying Codutti denies ever having sexual contact with a minor.
Woman tells investigators relationship became sexual when she was 16
According to charging documents obtained by KPRC 2, the woman, who is now 24, told investigators Codutti had been her strength and conditioning coach at Tomball High School.
The woman said she and Codutti initially communicated through social media and eventually exchanged nude photographs while she was a minor.
She told investigators she began babysitting for Codutti and his wife and alleged sexual contact later occurred at their home.
The woman told investigators she believed she and Codutti first had sexual intercourse in February 2019, when she was 16 years old.
Charging documents detail allegations of additional sexual encounters at several locations, including Codutti’s home, a gym and on the Tomball High School campus.
The woman specifically alleged that sexual contact occurred inside a coaches’ office in the school’s weight room in 2019. She also told investigators there were occasions when she left campus with Codutti during lunch.
The woman told investigators the relationship continued after she graduated from high school and into adulthood. She alleged their last sexual encounter occurred around September 2025.
Attorney says defense has not received evidence
Fremuth told KPRC 2 he has represented Codutti since the investigation began in April and has communicated with law enforcement and prosecutors about the case.
However, Fremuth said the defense has not yet received the evidence gathered by investigators.
“The biggest thing right now is I have not received any evidence. So I don’t know what they think they have,” Fremuth said.
Charging documents describe several steps investigators say they took while examining the woman’s allegations.
According to the documents, investigators reviewed therapy and medical records, interviewed the woman’s mother and obtained Tomball ISD employment records.
The records obtained by investigators showed Codutti worked for Tomball ISD as an assistant football coach and teacher from August 2017 until February 2021. Investigators also obtained medical records showing the woman was prescribed birth control in June 2019, according to the complaint.
The woman’s mother also confirmed to investigators that her daughter had babysat for Codutti and that Codutti had been her daughter’s high school coach, according to charging documents.
Defense questions years-long delay
Fremuth said the defense intends to examine the length of time between the alleged conduct in 2018 and 2019 and the beginning of the criminal investigation in 2026.
“Whenever you have a delay like this, you always have to ask yourself the question, why was there a delay like that?” Fremuth said. “There are many reasons that could be.”
Charging documents provide some context for how the allegations reached law enforcement years later.
According to the complaint, the woman disclosed the alleged relationship during therapy. Her therapist subsequently made a report to Child Protective Services, which ultimately led to the HCSO investigation.
Codutti expected in court Monday
Fremuth said the criminal case and publicity surrounding it have been difficult for Codutti and his family.
“This is a very difficult time for him and his family,” Fremuth said.
Fremuth said Codutti hopes the case ultimately ends in a dismissal or acquittal.
Court records show Codutti posted a $100,000 bond. He is scheduled for a court hearing Monday morning.
HCSO said the investigation remains ongoing and is asking anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact its Crimes Against Children Unit at 713-830-3250.
