Former NEO theatre instructor sent back to jail

MIAMI, Okla. — A former Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College instructor facing six life sentences on accusations of child sexual abuse is going back to jail.

Special Judge Andrew Meloy found on Friday that Aaron Smith, 45, had violated the conditions of his $150,000 bail by contacting a 14-year-old girl through several social media platforms.

Meloy ordered Smith's bail be raised to $100,000 per count - or $600,000 - for six counts of child sexual abuse.

The judge also said that if Smith, a former NEO theatre instructor, should make bail, he would refrain from posting online and unfollow the teen on all social media accounts.

The criminal case centers on allegations Smith sexually abused the teen on numerous occasions, according to an arrest affidavit. The teen also disclosed she had been asked to send nude pictures of herself to Smith, and he allegedly sent nude photographs of himself to her, the affidavit states.  

"He is either obsessed with her, or he is trying to threaten her," said Prosecutor Kathy Lahmeyer.

During the hour-long bond revocation hearing, the teen's mother and Detective Leslie Bissell took the stand.

Both women testified how Smith allegedly sent a friend request to the teen's social media account on Threads, viewed her Snapchat videos, and made posts on his social media sites that were indirect messages to her.

Several screenshots of Smith's alleged actions were introduced during the hearing.

Threads is a social media platform similar to Twitter but geared toward younger teens.

Smith's attorney, Tracy Tiernan, argued the Thread friend request was a blanket request sent to hundreds of Smith's Instagram friends.

Testimony showed Smith never emailed, called, or texted the teen.

Tiernan argued that Smith may have been looking at the teen's social media accounts to find texts to help him with his trial defense and referenced the teen's previous false sexual assault allegation against another teenage boy.

The teen's other media platforms - Instagram and Tiktok- were also allegedly viewed by Smith.

"This was never an intentional act," Tiernan said.

"He has been seeking her out," the teen's mother testified. "Her Thread account is private. He had to look for her."

More than 100 of the teen's Snapchat videos had been allegedly viewed by Smith, she testified.

The teen's mother repeatedly said Smith "harassed and stalked" her daughter, and she and the family were afraid of him.

"He (Smith) knew what he was doing on social media platforms," Meloy said. "He knew the alleged victim would see his posts."

"His posts on Instagram are an attempt to contact her," Meloy said.

NEO fired Smith following a preliminary investigation last August.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to contact Leslie Bissell, Children’s Advocacy Center of Ottawa County executive director, at (918) 540-1621 if they suspect any child is a victim of abuse.