eisely Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 This is a developing story. ________________________ DALLAS, Texas - The national director of programs for the Boy Scouts of America has been charged with receiving and distributing child pornography, NBC News has learned. Douglas S. Smith Jr., was charged with having pornographic photos that show "minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct." Sources in U.S. Attorney's told NBC that the images were of young boys and that the investigation started in Germany. The Boy Scouts of America has yet to comment. Smith, 61, would not comment when reached by phone at his home. He was expected to appear in federal court Wednesday morning. If tried and found guilty, he faces prison time ranging from five to 20 years. A resident of Colleyville, Texas, Smith is still active in troop activity and is himself an Eagle Scout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
le Voyageur Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 WOW!!! Needless to say, the fertilizer will indeed be hitting a very high speed reciprocating device over this.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evmori Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 WOW! I can't think of any other response other than WOW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob White Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 Very sad for everyone, the children victimized by pornography, the man's family, the scouting program. I pray that no members of the unit he served turn out to be victims as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VentureScoutNY Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 What a terrible thing. I can't believe how these sick people can blend in to society, its quite scary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadenP Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 I whole heartily agree with Bobs post. This is a very sad day for the entire BSA movement. Hopefully it will be dealt with swiftly and fairly and allow the BSA to move forward in with an even stronger protection committment for youth, and better screening of adults starting with the National office.(This message has been edited by BadenP) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oak Tree Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 It looks like the Scouts have already dealt with him, to the extent possible. "The statement said Smith was placed on paid administrative leave immediately after the organization learned that he was being investigated for a crime, and that Smith decided to retire shortly thereafter." BadenP, what type of screening do you think would have caught this? It is a very sad situation for all involved, but people who are sexually attracted to children learn to hide this pretty well. Oak Tree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayfromcleveland Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 I also grieve for the children involved. But as a relatively new Scouter, this also angers me greatly. I've been defending the BSA against this sort of thing to those who make snide remarks about scouting. Not only that, our family has been selling (and buying) lots of popcorn, and I worked the Friends of Scouting campaign this year. We have NOT been devoting our time and money to fundraising just so the BSA can give those $$$ to some lawyers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutNut Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 To correct the first posting - the proper quote is: "According to Greg Fields, a Boy Scout of America spokesperson based in Irving, Texas, Smith is NO LONGER involved in troop activity." The BSA also stated: "We are dismayed and shocked to learn of the charge," it said. "Smith was employed by the organization for 39 years, with no indication of prior criminal activity. He was not in a leadership position which involved working directly with youth." Background checks are not infalible. If someone has managed to avoid any kind of trouble there is no way to catch him with a background check. Just another sad reminder that there are all kinds of crazies in this world & many of them are people no one would ever suspect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob White Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 Which lawyers are you refering to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evmori Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 Which lawyers are you refering to? I would think the lawyers the BSA has on retainer! There will undoubtedly be lawsuits filed against the BSA due to this! Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutNut Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 Jay - This is not a problem with BSA. It has nothing to do with Scouting. It is about one man's illegal activites. He could have just as easily worked for Wal-Mart or the federal government. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotoscout Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 Don't anyone be naive to think that this episode won't cost BSA any money. BSA will have to represent itself in court, and, an episode like this is likely to affect donations for the short term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob White Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 The BSA has not been charged with anything, there have been no accusations that they knew of his activity. The thought that the BSa will need to defend itself for some reason is pure speculation. My question for jay remains, what lawyers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoutldr Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 This has EVERYTHING to do with the BSA and Scouting. When this kind of thing happens, we are all dragged through the mud. I'm glad I'm leaving on vacation, so I don't have to face my co-workers tomorrow. Sigh... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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