Police Say Teacher Arrested For Possessing Child Pornography
Last updated Wednesday, March 26, 2008 8:50 PM CDT in News
By The Morning News
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SPRINGDALE - An elementary teacher at Salem Lutheran School was arrested Wednesday in connection with felony distributing, possessing, or viewing child pornography, said police.
Richard Smith, 53, of 4077 Glen Stone Terrace, who teaches fourth and fifth grade at the Springdale school was arrested after a tipster told police Smith had images of child pornography on his home computer, according to police.
A news release from the school said Smith was fired as of Wednesday. Smith had been a member of the faculty of Salem Lutheran for three years, according to the release, signed by Jeff Bladdick, church president.
"We have a zero-tolerance policy regarding any form of sexual misconduct or abuse. We are not aware of any incident involving our students, and we are cooperating fully with authorities on any investigation," Bladdick said.
"He said he has not touched any child from the school in an inappropriate manner," said Sgt. Shane Pegram, public information officer with Springdale Police Department.
Police executed a search warrant for Smith's residence. Smith voluntarily came to the Springdale Police Department for questioning and confessed to having images of children, toddlers to preteens, engaged in sexual activity, according to police. He admitted to downloading the images from various Web sites on the Internet over the past six years, police said.
Smith was transported Wednesday afternoon to Washington County Detention Center.
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Reader Comments (20 comment(s))
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MarkTheNarc wrote on Mar 27, 2008 5:44 AM:
" Amen, ozarks! How long will it take people to realize just HOW pervasive the problem is in our land? "
springdalereader wrote on Mar 27, 2008 8:55 AM:
" Ozarks, that may or may not be a good idea, but it seems it would have done nothing to root out this guy, unless he had been arrested for something similar in the past, which I don't see in the article anywhere. Drug tests I can get behind, but I'm not a fan of wasting tax money for credit checks, unless it is for someone handling district money. "
ozarks wrote on Mar 27, 2008 9:03 AM:
" Thanks Mark. I love teachers but they must be checked out just as any job the requires security. I mean, we hand our children over to them. If doing these checks weeded out 1% then we have done what we need to do to protect our children. Did you know that the AR teachers association fights against things like teachers having random drug tests. They are tested when they start work and that is it. Try to test one after then get ready for a law suit. If you have read in this paper how teachers don't want a credit check done on them is absolutly insane. Why would they fight against such things? I mean if I were a teacher, I would not have a problem at all with it. I had to do all these thing in the military and all jobs I have had since. I still have to have an annual background check done every year at my expense and my career is nothing as important as a teacher. I am not one for just making up laws this needs to be addressed by our state reps. Are there no teachers that support these checks? "
ozarks wrote on Mar 27, 2008 9:07 AM:
" Oh I agree Springadle, no matter how much you check some will slip through. But knowing they will be checked might give those that have other motives than teaching our kids phase? The point is, there will be things found out and at least we are doing what we can? Thank you for doing what you do. I admire you. It really is time for these checks to be done. You have to do this stuff at a lot of places now. "
lewis1946 wrote on Mar 27, 2008 9:10 AM:
" tipster told police Smith had images of child pornography on his home computer, meaning that after he showed or felony distributing pictures is how he was caught. Best be sure as to who you invite to view your computer photos.
Especially if your a teacher. Teachers should have a higher standard at lease as high as parents themselves. What age are they teaching men love men or women love women is just as good as straights. Oh, yea 5th grade. Parents are against public school training, and dear old uncle sam wishes to stop home schooling. Wonder why? "
Especially if your a teacher. Teachers should have a higher standard at lease as high as parents themselves. What age are they teaching men love men or women love women is just as good as straights. Oh, yea 5th grade. Parents are against public school training, and dear old uncle sam wishes to stop home schooling. Wonder why? "
FirstAmendment wrote on Mar 27, 2008 11:59 AM:
" A tipster's call is all it took for the police to raid someone's home? It just-so-happens that the tipster was correct this time, but the police should need more evidence than a tipster to get a search warrant. As it now stands, if I have a beef with YOU, then I can call in a "tip" to the police--and they will wreck YOUR home looking for whatever contraband I've reported. Child pornography is awful, but the Police State is even scarier. "
please wrote on Mar 27, 2008 4:47 PM:
" What if we were tought that this kind of thing was ok than no one would bat an eye.But I was tought that looking,haveing,thinging about this taboo.was pure evil.But look an who is dooing the teaching now.In ten years this kind of thing will probly be ok?. "
ozarks wrote on Mar 27, 2008 6:31 PM:
" FirstAmendment: I agree. Glad they got this peace of work but our rights are gone and it is sad that it has happened. I know the SS kicks in peoples doors or takes their kids and when their is no prooof they don't even say sorry. Thay make you feel lucky this time. :) "
catqueen wrote on Mar 27, 2008 8:52 PM:
" I could not agree more on the background check, random drug checks and credit checks, same as any other profession. Add to that list an occassional check of public records. Many times teachers are involved in issues that are hidden in the family courts. Any type of legal activity should have to be reported by the teacher to the administration. After all, if there is nothing to hide, why not? There are some truly great teachers. Then, there are truly sick people who mascarade as teachers. It needs to come to an end and I think the media attention is helping to flush them out. "
VATICAN2CATHOLIC wrote on Mar 27, 2008 9:10 PM:
" The state of Delaware passed landmark child abuse legislation which was signed into law on 07/10/07 which totally removed SOLs both criminally and civilly on the sexual abuse of children.
We also created a "WINDOW" which will remain open until 07/10/09 to bring forward previously time barred cases of abuse by anyone in a court of law.
If you know of anyone in Arkansas who was ever sexually abused in Delaware let them know that they now have an opportunity for justice in the State of Delaware.
Visit: www.childvictimsvoice.com "
We also created a "WINDOW" which will remain open until 07/10/09 to bring forward previously time barred cases of abuse by anyone in a court of law.
If you know of anyone in Arkansas who was ever sexually abused in Delaware let them know that they now have an opportunity for justice in the State of Delaware.
Visit: www.childvictimsvoice.com "
adabell wrote on Mar 28, 2008 8:58 AM:
" I am as appalled as anyone by child abuse, but I don't get the connection to credit checks. Think of all the people in foreclosue, their credit is now low. Are they somehow suspects for pornagraphy because of their credit? Things just happen. And there is a right to privacy unless you do have a record. Then you would be a registered sex offender. "
justpullthetrigger wrote on Mar 28, 2008 5:41 PM:
" Adabell, you are right on. Credit checks don't reveal much more than hard luck. Yes, some people may be late on payments and mismanage money, but I hardly think that is grounds to fire anyone, much less a teacher. Background and drug checks are about as far as you can legally go to checking out someone's past. I don't get the part about family court either. It's no one's business how much money the ex gets for child support or who got the house. Incest charges might be a completely different situation, but that would likely be a "charge" issue as well. "
ozarks wrote on Mar 29, 2008 5:09 PM:
" Credit checks are kust part of the over all chech. I have to have an annual credit check and I don't even handle money. Teachers handle money on many levels, many times. Plus, credit can tell if the teacher is under stress or inclind to do something they would not noramlly do, like take things? That is why I have to have it done. To check if I might be under stress or might take things becasue of the money problem. Those in charge of our children and have such a high responsiblity must be held to the highest standards. Plus, one that knows thaey will be checked is more enclinded to keep up with their responsibilities better. If one does not pay their bills do you not think that means they might be irresponsable? And should irreponsable people be teaching and in charge of our kids? "
catqueen wrote on Mar 30, 2008 3:30 PM:
" Most corporations require applicants to agree to a credit check and sweep of public records. It is not a big deal, they just want as much information as possible on the person who may become a representative of their company. Credit checks are common place now days - take auto insurance and homeowners insurance for instance. As for public records, most businesses subscribe for a minimum monthly fee. The background check and random drug testing goes without saying...that's just common sense anymore. Bottom line, you can tell a lot about a person by their personal history. Maybe there aren't any red flags that pop up and still the school has on staff a teacher that behaves inapproriately, at least they did their due diligence. Look, we have to do all we can to protect our students. The teachers committing these acts are not mentally healthy, wholesome individuals. Far from it. "
catqueen wrote on Mar 30, 2008 3:37 PM:
" By the way, hat's off to the state of Delaware for removing the statute of limitations for sexual abuse of a child. Hope to see all 50 states do the same. "
ozarks wrote on Apr 2, 2008 7:38 AM:
" After some debate about another teacher, the though came as to a teachers should have to under go a psyic eval at the time of hire. I find that to be a great idea. Police, many military positions and others have to have an evaluation and teachers taking one at time of hire would be the best way to weed out those that have urges toward children or students. So with all the checks and an eval, I think would resolve many issues and I would be confident of the staff at our kids school. I know most teachers are wonderful folks and I would think they are as frustrated as the public about these others that are not up to the standards we expect. So, that is what I am going to discuss with my reps. "
casual_observer wrote on Apr 2, 2008 10:21 AM:
" If the quality of spelling, syntax and grammar in most of the foregoing comments is any indication, some NWA teachers have been guilty of far greater crimes against humanity than the possession of child pornography. "
searching wrote on Apr 7, 2008 5:16 PM:
"
Well I am tired of all sex crimes and abuse whether it be children or adults. You know Lowell resident recently blogged with me and said he had not corruption in his fair city, but I know for a fact that a Lowell Police Sargent was arrested within the past month for domestic violence; guess beating the hell out of you wife, girlfriend does not meet the definition of corruption and criminal activity; this was his second offense by the way. Wonder how Lowell resident feels about this teacher and he one arrested for having sex with her student. Wonder why we have not blogged that crime. "
Well I am tired of all sex crimes and abuse whether it be children or adults. You know Lowell resident recently blogged with me and said he had not corruption in his fair city, but I know for a fact that a Lowell Police Sargent was arrested within the past month for domestic violence; guess beating the hell out of you wife, girlfriend does not meet the definition of corruption and criminal activity; this was his second offense by the way. Wonder how Lowell resident feels about this teacher and he one arrested for having sex with her student. Wonder why we have not blogged that crime. "
Not already registered?
ozarks wrote on Mar 26, 2008 8:36 PM: