Former Pulaski County teacher sentenced to prison for child sex crimes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A former Pulaski County substitute teacher and paraprofessional charged with 19 felonies a year for allegedly offering children money, drugs and alcohol for sex has been sentenced to prison.

Carissa J. Smith, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to one count of child endangerment and two counts of having sexual contact with a student.

Smith worked in the Dixon School District but resigned a few months before charges were made public in November 2024. The investigation started when detectives interviewed a victim who said they had been coerced into sex with Smith -- including her supplying marijuana, alcohol and money -- on multiple occasions, according to a probable cause statement.

The statement identified at least five victims.