### Texas Attorney General Announces Indictments in Teacher Certification Fraud

In Harris County, five individuals have been indicted in connection with a scheme designed to fraudulently acquire Texas teacher certifications for unqualified candidates. This announcement came from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, following an investigation that exposed severe irregularities in the certification process.

The operation involved Vincent Grayson, 57, who is accused of leading the scheme. Alongside Grayson, four others, Nicolas Newton, 35, Tywana Gilford Mason, 51, Darian Wilhite, 22, and LaShonda Roberts, 39, have been charged. Each defendant faces two felony counts of Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. If convicted, they could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

According to Paxton's office, the scheme allowed aspiring teachers, who struggled to pass the Texas Education Agency (TEA) licensing exams, to fraudulently receive passing scores. Candidates paid Grayson to orchestrate arrangements where Newton would complete the exams on their behalf. The process involved test-takers presenting their identification to a cooperating employee at a testing center before leaving the premises, allowing Newton to take the tests in their stead.

The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the Criminal Investigations Division of the Attorney General's office, the Harris County District Attorney's Office, and the Texas Education Agency. With these indictments, authorities aim to reinforce the integrity of the teacher certification process in Texas.