Former Dumas ‘Elementary Teacher of the Year’ arrested for distributing images of children

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - A retired Dumas teacher is facing federal charges involving illegal images and videos of young children.

US Marshals arrested Robby Lynn Mason, 56, yesterday and booked him into Randall County Jail on a federal detainer.

The arrest came after his indictment by a federal grand jury on Sept. 24.

He is charged with two counts involving child pornography; one count is for receiving and distributing the visual materials, the other count is for having at least one image of a child younger than age 12 and being aware of the child’s age.

According to the indictment, Mason was actively distributing and obtaining child pornography when he came into contact with law enforcement in April 2025.

The documents go on to list a number of seized devices belonging to Mason, including:

• iPhones
• iPad
• Laptops
• Hard drives of various sizes

Public payroll records show that Mason was an elementary school teacher employed by Dumas Independent School District.

He was named Elementary Teacher of the Year in May 2022, according to a post on DISD’s social media page.

He was praised for his ability to form relationships with his students.

He retired in May 2023, per a post on the district website.

The official record for Mason’s teaching certificate as of this writing shows that he became certified to teach 1st - 8th grade in 1994.

The license is still listed as active but has a note that “the individual is currently under review by the TEA Educator Investigations Division”.

Mason remains in Randall County Jail until his scheduled detention hearing next month.