A former Jefferson County Schools bus driver, James Robert Smith, 56, of Dandridge, has been charged with several sex crimes involving inappropriate contact with a minor. According to WATE, Smith was arrested this past Wednesday by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office after an investigation stemming from a complaint made to Director of Schools Tommy Arnold back on August 21, 2024.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office revealed that Smith faced 14 counts of sexual contact by an authority figure. It was disclosed that, as a result of reviewing camera footage from county buses, Smith's employment was terminated on the same day the complaint was filed. As per WVLT, Smith's arrest followed a thorough review of the bus camera footage, and after being taken into custody, he was given a $100,000 bond.
Following his termination from Jefferson County Schools' Transportation Department, where Smith had been employed since January 28, 2015, investigations by the sheriff's office included interviews with other students and further review of the bus footage. "Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority," Dr. Tommy Arnold was quoted, as noted by WBIR. He stated the school's commitment to maintaining a safe environment for its students.
Smith's actions have raised serious concerns from both the school and law enforcement. Jefferson County Schools filed a report with the Department of Children's Services, which worked closely with the sheriff's office during the investigation. Smith, who has posted bond, remains the subject of an ongoing investigation by the sheriff's office, and the situation is still under active scrutiny.
