Danny Federico
reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Benjamin Gerard Smith, a 57-year-old Live Oak resident and former employee at Suwannee Springcrest Elementary School, and 57-year-old Starke resident Donald Howard were arrested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) on Tuesday, June 18, on felony charges for possessing and transmitting child pornography.
In its press release, the FDLE stated the two are retired correctional officers; after retiring from his position as a correctional officer, Smith was fired from his job at Springcrest Elementary School following allegations of inappropriate contact with children.
FDLE's investigation into Smith's actions began on Monday, June 3, when agents received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about an account holder, later identified as Smith, sharing files depicting the sexual abuse of children. The Separate warrants were served on Wednesday, June 18, on Smith and Howard's residences. FDLE reported that electronic devices were seized at both residences and preliminary forensic exams of each of the suspects’ devices located multiple files of children being sexually abused.
The investigations are being conducted by the FDLE Live Oak and FDLE Gainesville field offices.
Smith was booked into the Suwannee County Jail at 10:17 a.m. on June 18 on possession of obscene material, obscene communication—transmission of child pornography, and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. Howard was arrested and booked into the Bradford County Jail.
FDLE states additional charges may be pending upon further forensic analysis. Smith’s case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, Third Judicial Circuit, and Howard’s case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, Eighth Judicial Circuit.
Please visit the FDLE website to review tips for keeping your children safe online at https://secureflorida.org/Family-Safety/BPParents.htm.release states agents also located records showing Smith’s account sharing child pornography with another account holder, later identified to be Howard, residing in Bradford County.