WESTMINSTER, CO – A former dean of students at a Colorado high school was sentenced to 90 days in jail after pleading guilty to sending explicit photos of himself to an underage student via Snapchat.
Tate Drane, 28, appeared before District Judge Arturo Hernandez on September 24 and received his sentence for attempted child sex assault and child abuse. The former Mountain Range High School administrator will also serve 10 years of intensive supervised probation following his jail term.
The incident occurred in October 2024 when Drane, who served as dean of students, sent sexually explicit photographs of himself to a student at the Westminster school. The images were transmitted through the social media platform Snapchat.
Drane had worked in the Adams 12 Five Star Schools district since 2018, rising to the position of dean before the allegations surfaced. The district placed him on administrative leave once school officials learned of the inappropriate contact with a student.
As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors dismissed more serious charges including internet sexual exploitation of a child, child sexual assault by one in a position of trust, and additional child sex assault counts. Drane entered guilty pleas to the reduced charges of attempted child sex assault and child abuse.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about educators misusing technology and social media to engage in inappropriate relationships with students. School administrators hold positions of authority and trust, making such violations particularly egregious in the eyes of the law.
Intensive supervised probation requires frequent check-ins with probation officers, mandatory counseling, and strict limitations on contact with minors. Violations of probation terms could result in Drane serving additional prison time.
Mountain Range High School is part of the Adams 12 Five Star Schools district, which serves communities north of Denver including Westminster, Thornton, and Federal Heights. The district has not commented on whether additional policy changes were implemented following Drane’s arrest.
The investigation was conducted by the Westminster Police Department with assistance from district officials. Authorities did not release information about the victim to protect their identity.
Child safety advocates note that cases like this underscore the importance of monitoring educator-student communications and maintaining clear boundaries. Many school districts have implemented policies prohibiting staff from communicating with students through personal social media accounts.
