Lowcountry school district employee charged with sexual exploitation of a minor
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — UPDATE: The Beaufort County School District confirmed Smith is no longer employed by the district. District administrators say they are unable to comment on an active law enforcement investigation or personnel matters.
According to the district, Smith was an orchestra teacher. He was hired on Aug. 12, 2013.
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ORIGINAL STORY: An employee with the Beaufort County School District is in jail after investigators served a search warrant at his home on Hilton Head Island earlier this week, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office announced on Thursday.
Jared Smith, 34, is charged with third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
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The sheriff's office received a third-party tip that Smith may be in possession of child sexual abuse material, officials say. Investigators went to Smith's home on Tuesday and collected several items of evidence.
According to the sheriff's office, Smith's phone contained media depicting the sexual abuse of a minor.
Smith was taken into custody late Wednesday afternoon and booked into the Beaufort County Detention Center.
The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate and says more charges are possible.
