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Kim Johnson ReportingAn East High P.E. teacher was in federal court today for allegedly trying to arrange a sexual encounter with a 13-year old girl. The school district sent a letter to parents and students explaining the teacher's now on administrative leave.
Mr. Smith appeared before a Federal Magistrate for a detention hearing. The judge released him from the Davis County jail, provided that Smith abides by orders to wear an ankle bracelet and have no contact with minors or the internet.
Officers arrested Smith over the weekend when he showed up at a park in Layton, where he'd allegedly arranged to meet a 13-year old girl. According to the complaint, Smith and the girl agreed to have a sexual experience at the park, only the 13-year old girl was an undercover police officer.
Officers confiscated several pieces of paper from Smith containing the names of girls, their phone numbers and their bra sizes. Investigators notified the Salt Lake School district yesterday.
Jason Olsen, Salt Lake School District: “The first thing that pops into your mind is, ‘How will it affect the students? How will it affect their families?’ Because they are basically our customers. They’re the ones we need to take care of. They’re the ones we have responsibility for.”
Students say they were surprised.
Soi Hoko, East High Student: “He’s a nice guy. I never would have thought in a million years something like that would have happened to him.”
Smith told police he has approximately 130 names on his internet instant messenger buddy list, and that he has met with seven or eight of them. In 2003 East High reprimanded Smith for having inappropriate contact with a sophomore girl.
