7:26 pm - February 26, 2025
Shocking Arrest of Former School Head in Child Pornography Case
In a disturbing development that has sent shockwaves through the education community, a former head of a Shreveport school has been arrested in Delaware on 25 counts of child pornography. Justin Smith, a 43-year-old man who previously served as the head of Southfield School in Shreveport from July 2019 to December 2021, was taken into custody in Delaware. At the time of his arrest, Smith was leading St. Anne’s Episcopal School in Middletown, a private institution that serves students from kindergarten through 8th grade. His arrest has raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of students, as well as the vetting processes in place for educators.
According to Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, there is currently no evidence to suggest that Smith’s alleged crimes were directly connected to his role at either school. However, the sheer severity of the charges has left both institutions and the broader community reeling. St. Anne’s Episcopal School has since terminated Smith’s employment, emphasizing their commitment to cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. The Delaware Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is leading the probe, which has uncovered disturbing details about Smith’s online activities.
Court documents reveal that Smith allegedly used multiple aliases, including "agoodtimejobud" and "anythinggoesbud," on the file-sharing app Kik Messenger. Through these accounts, he is accused of downloading and distributing explicit content, including at least two dozen videos. Shockingly, many of these videos depicted young girls, some as young as 6 and as old as 16, being subjected to brutal acts of violence. The revelations have sparked widespread outrage and concern, particularly among parents and educators who place their trust in school leaders to protect and nurture children.
Southfield School, where Smith previously worked, released a statement expressing their shock and distress over the allegations. The school emphasized that there were no indications or reports of inappropriate interactions with students during Smith’s tenure. They also clarified that his departure from the school in December 2021 was unrelated to any concerns about student interactions. Southfield School reiterated their commitment to student safety, noting that they take all reports of inappropriate behavior extremely seriously and have robust processes in place to investigate such claims.
The legal consequences for Smith are severe. Following his arrest, he was booked into the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Delaware, with a bond set at $625,000. If convicted on all 25 counts, Smith could face a prison sentence of two to five years for each count, potentially amounting to a significant term behind bars. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in positions of trust, particularly in educational settings where the safety and well-being of children are paramount.
As the investigation continues, the Delaware ICAC Task Force has urged anyone with information about the case to come forward. The arrest of Justin Smith has also raised broader questions about how schools can better vet Applicants and monitor the behavior of staff to prevent such heinous crimes. For now, the focus remains on supporting the affected communities and ensuring that measures are in place to protect children from harm. The case is a somber reminder of the need for ongoing vigilance and collaboration between law enforcement, schools, and the public to safeguard the most vulnerable members of society.