The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office says it is actively investigating allegations against a former Conroe ISD wrestling coach accused of grooming and sexually exploiting female student-athletes.

William  Billy  Durning, who previously coached at The Woodlands High School, resigned after allegations of inappropriate behavior surfaced in April 2026.

The allegations have prompted families and a state lawmaker to demand an independent criminal investigation into Durning's conduct, which some accusers say spans more than a decade.

On Tuesday, Oct. 6, state Rep. Steve Toth joined families at a news conference calling for law enforcement to investigate the allegations.

According to Toth, multiple women have come forward accusing Durning of inappropriate conduct during his years coaching student-athletes.

One parent said his family first reported concerns about Durning's alleged behavior to school officials in April.

That father said additional women came forward after his daughter publicly shared her experience.

In a statement released Wednesday, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office clarified that its investigators had already taken over the case before Tuesday's news conference.

According to the sheriff's office, Conroe ISD police initially notified deputies about the allegations in April but advised that district police would conduct the investigation in collaboration with the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.

At the time, sheriff's deputies were told their assistance was not needed.

That changed Sept. 23, when Conroe ISD police and the district's superintendent requested an independent investigation by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

The request followed a determination by the Texas Attorney General's Office that Conroe ISD police lacked primary jurisdiction to investigate the allegations under Chapter 261 of the Texas Family Code, which governs certain child abuse investigations.

Under Senate Bill 571, the sheriff's office Major Crimes Unit accepted the case and began reviewing existing evidence, investigative files and documentation.

The sheriff's offic
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