Former Texas coach Matthan Lough allegedly used AI document to groom teen with manipulation tactics

Former Texas teacher and coach, Matthan Lough, has been arrested for allegedly grooming a teenage girl using an AI-generated document to outline manipulation tactics. The 32-year-old was taken into custody on a single charge of child grooming on Dec.10, according to FOX 4.

The incident took place at the Christian Center of Mesquite church, where Lough’s father was the senior pastor before resigning on Nov. 23. Lough later became the victim’s volleyball coach, leading to inappropriate contact between them.

The investigation began after the victim’s mother found inappropriate text messages between Lough and her daughter and contacted the local police in early October. The victim revealed that she first met Lough at a graduation event in May 2023, where he approached her while she was playing volleyball with her sister.

Lough allegedly requested the victim’s phone number in the spring of 2025 to send her a volleyball highlight reel. However, their conversations quickly turned inappropriate, with Lough making comments about her appearance and later requesting explicit photos from the minor.

Authorities highlighted three key incidents in September that led to the child grooming charges. Lough hugged and kissed the victim inside a storage closet at their church, engaged in oral sex with her while his daughter was in gymnastics class, and touched her inappropriately in a parking lot.

During the investigation, officials discovered an AI-generated document titled “Hypothetical Counter-Influence Plan,” outlining manipulation tactics to control women. The plan included steps to stabilize and strengthen the victim, plant doubts, rebuild autonomy, shift power dynamics, and let her choose.

The victim also expressed fear of Lough, as he allegedly had a detailed process on how to kill someone and carried a concealed firearm. The Christian Center of Mesquite stated that Lough was not an employee of the church, but the alleged incidents may have occurred on the property.

Lough’s father, Senior Pastor Kevin Lough, resigned from his position last month but has not been implicated in any wrongdoing. Lough previously worked as a teacher and coach at Pioneer Technology and Arts Academy and as a club volleyball coach for a local team.

The Mesquite Police Department did not provide immediate comments on the case, and an attorney representing Lough was not identified. The church board condemned Lough’s actions and expressed support for the victim and her family during this difficult time.