Former teacher of Durant student convicted of child abuse crimes

DURANT, Okla. (KXII) – A former Durant High School teacher who had an inappropriate relationship with the then 14-year-old student was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison.

Prosecutors announced that Ryan Capps, 25, was sentenced Friday after sentencing found guilty by a federal jury in May.

Federal investigators said Capps was employed as a teacher and coach when the abuse occurred in 2022.

Capps was convicted of one count of coercion and enticement, one count of sexual exploitation of a child/use of a child to create a visual performance, and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor in Indian Country.

“This defendant abused his position of trust as a teacher and coach by sexually exploiting a student he was charged with protecting,” said Doug Goodwater, FBI Special Agent in Charge in Oklahoma City. “I am grateful for the dedicated efforts of the FBI, the Durant Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to remove this predator from the lives of innocent children through the justice system.”