QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. — The Queen Creek teacher accused of showing a nude photo to students has allegedly admitted to the crime, according to newly obtained court documents.
Officers responded to Crismon High School on April 19 for reports of indecent behavior by a teacher.
Court documents allege Brett Smith, 56, handed his personal cell phone to two boys, ages 16 and 17, which was open to a text thread with a link. Smith told the boys to click on the link, the documents say, which opened to a photo of a fully nude man.
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One of the boys told police they felt uncomfortable and said the incident was "weird," but the boys laughed at the situation with Smith, court documents said.
Smith admitted to the incident, court documents say, and told police he felt he had a "close relationship" with the boys and never showed them any images of himself. Smith told police he meant it as a joke, as the link looked as if it led to a sports story.
Smith also admitted to deleting the text thread and photograph from his phone when he learned he was under investigation, the documents said. His cell phone was seized and officers found the image in his browsing history, according to the court documents.
Smith was arrested on April 26 and booked into the Maricopa County Jail on one count of furnishing obscene material to minors and released on his own recognizance. He is due back in court on May 10.
Queen Creek Unified School District provided the following comment:
"We have been made aware of the arrest of former CHS teacher, Brett Smith, for showing harmful materials to minors. CHS has cooperated fully with the Queen Creek Police Department during the investigation. Student safety is a top priority at QCUSD. We want to assure you that we are taking every step necessary to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment. There is no additional information that can be provided at this time."
The Queen Creek Police Department said this investigation remains open.
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