Former teacher had over 600 images of child porn on district-issued laptops, court docs allege

JASPER COUNTY, Mo. — Charges are filed against a former Carl Junction teacher accused of possessing child pornography and stalking.

Carl Junction police say they seized two laptop computers issued to Craig Smith, 53, by the Carl Junction School District. According to court records, between the two laptops, investigators say they found over 600 still images of child pornography. Investigators say the images were downloaded to the computer.

Carl Junction police say the inappropriate behavior began in 2018 when the girl he's accused of stalking, was a sixth grader. Investigators say Smith gave the girl gifts, arranged for her to have lunch with him in his office, and sent inappropriate letters, texts, and voicemails.

A probable cause affidavit filed in the case says despite complaints and disciplinary action, Smith continued to contact the student, even after she blocked him from social media and her phone.

According to investigators, when the girl was promoted to junior high from the intermediate school, Smith also transferred to the junior high school.

Smith is charged with stalking and possession of child porn. He is being held on a total of $400,000 cash-only bond.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. David Pyle says Mr. Smith was placed on administrative leave from his teaching duties on August 30th of 2024, and his employment ended on December 31.

He says the district has cooperated fully with the investigation, adding the safety and well-being of students are the highest priority.

"We are deeply concerned for the individuals impacted by this matter, including the family of Mr. Smith, and offer them our full support," Dr. Pyle said in a release Friday.

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in nature and discusses imagery that is upsetting.

The probable cause affidavit says that on one of the electronic devices, detectives found 387 images of child sexual abuse material. They said the "images contained juvenile victims who were very young in age and appearing to be prepubescent." Some of the images included sexual acts with other children, adults, and animals. and included children with an estimated age of 6 months to 17 years of age, according to the investigators.

The second device, according to officials, contained 251 images similar to those listed above.

A court date has not yet been set.