Honk News ( Portland, OR) – A teacher from Banks High School has been taken into custody and is facing allegations of child sex abuse, with law enforcement suggesting that there could be additional victims, according to officials.
A 66-year-old math teacher named Wymon Smith was taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. A man has been arrested and is now confronting serious felony charges, including second-degree sex abuse and luring a minor.
On January 8, school personnel alerted the sheriff’s office regarding the claims that Smith engaged in inappropriate contact with a student. School officials learned of the allegations the day before, prompting them to promptly place Smith on leave and inform the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline that same day, in accordance with legal requirements.
“The case was assigned to detectives in the Violent Crimes Unit, which also handles child abuse investigations. Detectives learned Smith had sexually inappropriate conversations with multiple students and had sexual contact with at least one student on school property,” the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
Throughout the inquiry, detectives discovered that Smith engaged in “sexually inappropriate conversations with several students and had sexual contact with at least one student on school grounds.” As revealed in legal filings, this took place on January 6.
The affidavit reveals that Smith reportedly participated in what might be characterized as close hugging with a student, in addition to having sexually inappropriate discussions.
The Sheriff’s Office expressed their worries that Smith could potentially have additional victims. If you have any details regarding the case, please reach out to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities have indicated that the Banks School District is still working in conjunction with the ongoing investigation.