(WBAP/KLIF) – An employee of Richardson ISD has been arrested on child pornography charges. According to Collin County authorities, Collin County Sheriff’s Office and the Plano Police Department arrested Dante Schmidt Tuesday morning for Possession of Child Pornography. Schmidt is a resident of Allen and works for the Richardson school district.
Investigators received information that Schmidt was downloading and sharing child pornography. A search warrant was executed at his home in Allen at approximately 6:00 pm Monday night. Police say Schmidt admitted to possessing child pornography and identified the computer he used to download and share the illegal images. The computer was seized by investigators as evidence for further forensic examination they said, which began immediately after the search warrant was executed. Just after midnight an arrest warrant was issued by 401st District Court Judge Mark Rusch charging Schmidt with Possession of Child Pornography. Schmidt was arrested shortly after without incident and taken to the Plano Police Department’s jail for processing.
At this point, investigators do not believe any Richardson ISD students are victims in this case. Police say they have been in contact with Richardson administrators and they are cooperating with this investigation, adding the investigation is ongoing and additional charges against Schmidt may be filed.
An official with Richardson ISD confirmed that Schmidt was an English teacher at Lake Highlands High School and is currently on paid administrative leave during the investigation.
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