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HYRUM — A bus driver for the Cache and Logan school districts is facing multiple felony charges accusing him of downloading child pornography to a home computer.
Darrin Smith, 61, of Hyrum, was arrested Thursday and charged in 1st District Court Friday with seven counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, a first-degree felony.
"There is no evidence currently to suggest that Mr. Smith sexually offended against any minors through the course of his employment or otherwise," a statement from Logan police says. "The school districts were immediately notified of the arrest."
A member of the Internet Crimes Against Children task force used investigative software between October and November to learn that three child pornography videos had been downloaded by a particular IP address. The videos showed a total of seven children being sexually abused by adults or being forced to sexually abuse each other, according to a police booking affidavit.
The IP address was eventually traced back to Smith, the affidavit states, and officers served a search warrant at his home on Thursday.
"Upon being questioned, Smith ... admitted to downloading and viewing (the files) — acknowledging that he knew it was (child sexual abuse material)," the affidavit states. "He also admitted to accessing (child sexual abuse material) via the internet on other occasions as well."
The charges are aggravated because Smith distributed the child pornography, according to the affidavit. Logan police said several items of computer equipment were seized from his home and are being searched as part of the investigation.
The Cache County School District said in a statement Friday afternoon that Smith has been placed on indefinite administrative leave pending a full investigation.
"Thus far, there is no evidence that his actions carried over into his job as an employee," the school district said in its statement. "The district is cooperating fully with the Logan Police Department in their investigation."
