Colleyville councilman arrested after foreign exchange student alleges improper touching

Ft.Worth Star-Telegram ^ | May 12, 2009 | DARREN BARBEE

[txroadkill]

A former Colleyville city councilman and longtime youth coach has been accused of pinning down a foreign exchange student on a bed and touching her inappropriately before she fought him off, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Tony Licata, 57, resigned his seat Thursday, on the day the arrest warrant was executed.Licata did not respond to e-mail and phone messages Tuesday seeking comment.

"Once we have investigated the allegation, we’ll have more to say," said Stephanie Luce, a Dallas attorney representing Licata. "He is a good and decent man."

According to the affidavit, filed by an investigator with the Tarrant County district attorney’s office, the girl’s therapist alerted authorities in April.

But the incident happened nearly six months earlier, on Nov. 4. American Field Service, which arranged for Licata to host the girl, received an emergency report about the situation that night and moved the student from Licata’s home. But the agency did not contact police.

[txroadkill]

The arrest-warrant affidavit gives this account of what happened, based on the investigator’s interviews:

On the Tuesday evening in November, Licata called the girl into his bedroom to show her a cellphone that he had for her, and they sat on the end of a bed reading the instruction book. The girl said she was tired and started to get up. Licata "grabbed her from behind and began hugging and rubbing her on her breast and stomach."

The girl struggled and Licata threw her on the bed, got on top of her and began kissing her neck and shoulders. The girl continued to struggle and kick, got free and stood in the corner of the room crying. She told him she was scared. Licata responded that he was scared, too.

The guy's website is still up. No mention of party affiliation.

[B-Chan]

As a former host dad, I am nauseated by this story. Never mind the sickening desperation of a grown man (and acting “dad”) seeking to initiate a physical relationship with a minor child, anyone who would take advantage of these vulnerable and trusting children should be horsewhipped through the streets.

Having an exchange student was a wonderful experience for our family. Our girl quickly wormed her way into our hearts and became a member of our family, and we are still close with her and her folks today, despite the ocean that lies between us. In fact, she came back for a visit a few weeks ago, and what a reunion we had!

Shame on this fool for breaking the bond of trust that lies at the heart of the exchange student idea. He has traumatized this child and ruined what could have been one of life’s most rewarding experiences. What a pathetic loser.

[Raycpa]

I think AFS needs to do some serious policy making: American Field Service, which arranged for Licata to host the girl, received an emergency report about the situation that night and moved the student from Licata’s home. But the agency did not contact police.

[Travis McGee]

Amen brother.

[Tai_Chung]

I agree with you, but was the girl a minor? I couldn’t find that in the article. I know some foreign students could be college students.

[ladtx]

I heard on local news this morning some fool make the comment “He’s such a good and decent man.” Duh, obviously not. Always one out there somewhere. I’m presuming he’s guilty seems they usually are.

[Jedidah]

Are you seriously suggesting that this guy’s actions would somehow have been more justifiable were the student over 18?

[babygene]

But then again, maybe this is made up as a large portion of these type allegations are.

Seems to me that we need to withhold judgment until this is proven in a court of law...

[txroadkill]

...maybe this is made up as a large portion of these type allegations are.

Doesn't seem to be the case this time.

On May 1, the girl and a friend who translated for her met with the investigator for the DA’s office at a high school. The girl volunteered to call Licata’s cellphone while being recorded by the investigator.

Licata answered the phone.

"He stated several times that he was sorry about what had happened and that he had shared with his wife and with a counselor about the incident," according to the warrant. "He said that he had been instructed by AFS not to contact [the girl], but he was concerned for her welfare and wanted to visit with her further and would talk to his wife to see how that would best be accomplished."