Vancouver Boy Scout Leader and Substitute Teacher Darrel Dwight Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

Boy Scouts Hazel Dell Troop 316 treasurer, Darrel James Dwight, 56, was arrested last Wednesday at a school he substitute teaches at in the Evergreen School District of Vancouver, WA.

According to the Columbian‘s Paris Achen, Vancouver Police investigators have charged Dwight with the possession and viewing of child pornography–but the charges do not stop there. Dwight will also be prosecuted in federal court on undisclosed charges.

“During a search of Dwight’s pockets, law enforcement officers found two thumb drives. A computer forensic special agent with U.S. Homeland Security analyzed the contents of the thumb drives and found 600 images, including photos and videos of depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit activity, according to a probable cause affidavit by Vancouver police Officer Tom Topaum,” reported Achen.

Vancouver Police officials reported that Dwight is currently in the Clark County Jail until federal authorities take him into custody this week.  He will be arraigned on January 8 in Clark Co. Superior Court and his federal charges allege that he ordered child porn from a Canadian company and had it shipped to him in the United States.

It will be interesting to find out what the federal charges against Dwight will be because the Columbian article noted that Vancouver police released the following statement:

“Due to the seriousness of the felony crimes Mr. Dwight is being charged with, parents should discuss this matter with children whom Mr. Dwight has had contact with.”

This alludes to the possibility that Dwight may see charges that fall into a more predatory nature on the federal level, and the Vancouver press release gives good advice about parents discussing potential contact with their kids.

If you have information about Darrel Dwight and would like to speak confidentially with someone in our law firm, please call 1-888-407-0224 or email us at info@oandc.com.