A Mill Valley Unified School District employee was slapped with sex charges after a sheriff's investigation into alleged lewd conduct with a child. Darren Smith, a teacher from Fairfax, was arrested on April 30, 2024, for incidents involving a minor.

Smith, who's been on the district's payroll since August 2013, came under scrutiny after the school district mandated a report to the Sheriff’s Office on March 28. After learning of the allegations, the district put Smith on ice and slapped him with administrative leave. He was booked into Marin County Jail, and his pockets will have to cough up $200,000 if he wants to get bailed out.

The Marin Sheriff's detectives rolled up their sleeves and, digging into the case, conducted forensic interviews and sifted through evidence that ultimately handcuffed Smith with probable cause for arrest. Lodged with charges of Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a Child (PC 288) and Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child (PC 288.5), the case has taken a grim turn for the educator.

The Marin Sheriff’s Office is elbow-deep in this investigation and is fishing for information from the public. A call to arms has been issued, beckoning anyone with knowledge of Smith's activities to come forward and contact them at (415)479-2311.