Substitute teacher faces statutory rape charges, accused of giving students money, drugs for sex
A Missouri substitute teacher is facing 19 charges including statutory rape after authorities say she offered minors money for sex and bought them marijuana and alcohol.
Prosecutors in Pulaski County have charged Carissa Jenna Smith, 30, with sexual trafficking, statutory sodomy, statutory rape and patronizing prostitution, according to court documents reviewed by USA TODAY.
According to a probable cause statement submitted by the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, the woman, who is married and has children, paid money to a child for sex and also bought them marijuana and alcohol.
Smith was a substitute teacher in the Dixon R-I School District in Dixon, Missouri from Aug. 26, 2022 to Aug. 26 this year, the district confirmed to USA TODAY Friday afternoon.
On Wednesday, Dixon R-I School District Superintendent Travis Bohrer sent out a notice to community members letting them know about Smith’s charges. Calling the situation “very disturbing and distressing,” he said the district is working with the Missouri Children’s Division and authorities.
It was not immediately clear Friday afternoon who was representing Smith in court.
Substitute teacher allegedly offered child money, marijuana for sex
A detective from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office interviewed one of the minors involved on Sept. 13, and the student said the incidents happened while they were in middle school.
Smith was substituting for another teacher and gave the student her Snapchat username. From there, they added each other and began to talk via the app. Eventually, she began sending explicit photos to the student.
A year prior to the interview, a friend asked the child if they’d like to “do some work and make some money for the work,” they told the detective. When the child said yes, the friend took them to Smith’s home, the probable cause statement showed.
Once inside Smith’s home, Smith then allegedly told the child if they had sex with her, she’d pay them, the statement showed. She performed sexual acts with the child, including intercourse, the detective from the sheriff’s office wrote in the statement.
The child told the detective Smith paid them $130.
According to the child, Smith told them not to talk about what happened or else she’d get into trouble.
Suspect accused of propositioning child for sex multiple times
During the Sept. 13 interview, the first child told the detectives this wasn’t the only time Smith initiated sexual contact with them. The victim said they’d spent time together at least six or seven times and Smith paid them in cash or via Cash App.
According to the student, Smith previously took the child to a field where Smith offered them $110 and marijuana before performing sex acts, the statement read.
According to the child, Smith told them ‘You know you can’t talk about this with anybody?” and the child agreed not to talk.
The child also alleged Smith, at one point while they were having intercourse, forced the child to ejaculate inside of her.
The victim told the investigator that Smith gave them alcohol to drink with friends, including vodka and whiskey.
Substitute teacher and husband smashed child’s phone once she found out about videos, victim alleges
The victim told investigators they had a video of Smith performing oral sex on them. When Smith found out about the video of her performing oral sex, she “smashed” it, the victim said.
A friend also took photos of himself, the victim and Smith in a car, the statement read.
Another minor mentioned in the probable cause statement said Smith told her husband the victim was trying to blackmail her with a video of her smoking marijuana with the minors. Smith’s husband then threatened the minors with a bat.
In his statement, Dixon R-I School District Superintendent Bohrer encouraged community members to speak up if they suspect misconduct by school employees.
Those with concerns can call the Missouri Children’s Division at 1-800-392-3738, he said.
Tipsters can also call Detective Chance Shoecraft with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department at (573) 774-6196 ext. 4808.
If you or someone you know could be affected by sexual abuse or violence, services provided by RAINN are available via chat or phone call at 1-800-656-4673.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Missouri substitute teacher allegedly gave kids money and weed for sex
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