SUU groundskeeper faces child exploitation charge

CEDAR CITY — A Cedar City groundskeeper with Southern Utah University who police say had access to some of the women's sports teams has been arrested and accused of possessing child sex abuse material.

Eli Wendell Smith, 53, was arrested Monday and charged Tuesday in 5th District Court with sexual exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony.

Police served a search warrant on Monday at Smith's home "for electronics and digital storage media." An image of child sex abuse material was located and Smith was questioned about it, according to a police booking affidavit.

"He also stated there were between 50 to 100 other child pornographic images on his computer," the affidavit states. "During the search a large amount of 'barely legal' and 'teen' labeled pornography was found."

The arresting officer noted in the affidavit that Smith "is an employee at SUU as a groundskeeper/facilities maintenance member with access to the women's athletics teams, facilities, and equipment and often travels to away sporting events with the women's softball and soccer teams. I believe Eli poses a danger to these women given specific nature of the pornographic material he views and his unique relationship with the teams."

The university released a brief statement Tuesday, stating only that "Southern Utah University cooperates with city and local law enforcement. To protect the integrity of the city's criminal processes, the university does not make comments on pending investigations."

The school confirmed that Smith has been placed on administrative leave.

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