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Local Elementary School Custodian Arrested For Child Porn
February 27, 2015
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Pensacola Regional Operations Center Special Agents have arrested Samuel Dwain Yates, 43, of 4289 W. Avenida De Golf, Milton, Fla. on four counts of possession of child pornography. Yates is a custodian at the Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment.
Agents began investigating Yates after receiving a tip that an electronic device at his residence was downloading child pornography. Agents served a search warrant at Yates’ residence yesterday and gathered evidence that Yates was in possession of at least four images of child pornography. Agents seized several items of digital media for forensic analysis. This investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are expected.
Yates, a 10-year employee at Jim Allen Elementary, has been suspended from his position, according to Norm Ross, deputy superintendent. He did not have computer access at the school, Ross said. Yates was an “evening custodian” beginning his workday in the early afternoon and remaining after most children were off campus.
Yates was released from the Santa Rosa County Jail on $20,000 bond. The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney 1st Judicial Circuit. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office assisted in his arrest.
Comments
35 Responses to “Local Elementary School Custodian Arrested For Child Porn”
People use your heads. Child porn does not come up in emails or virus’. It has to be downloaded. Whether it’s four or a hundred- it is cause for concern.The fact that he had child porn on his computer makes me queasy. It disturbs me greatly he works in a school. Who knows how long he has been looking at that? He could have been getting it shipped in the mail and finally decided to download it. I wonder f there are any children in the house? Jesus!
@Travis – I assure you that you did not spend three months in jail with no bond for driving without a license. You might have spent 3 months no bond for violating probation by driving without a license….but not simply for no license. No bond is not even an option on that charge. It is a misdemeanor.
@Amanda…
Yes, the parents did receive a telephone call from the principal regarding the situation. Maybe you need to contact the school to verify that your contact number is correct. Just saying. …
First of all, slow down and think – just how many of us ALL receive trash/spam emails? How do you know that he didn’t open an email and have a virus or something of that nature? To only be found with 4 pictures, this would be my guess as to what happened. It really doesn’t take much nowadays to have an email spam your computer with some pictures and “alert” the authorities. How do you think they catch the majority of these people? It’s not like they have friends and family turning them in… Think about it. Your computers and phones (like it or not) are being watched. People are so quick to judge! Now, if they dig further and find out otherwise, fine. He deserves to be punished. I just have a really hard time believing that 4 pictures make him a criminal – there has to be more of an explanation. To be completely honest, he may not have even known that the images were there. Sorry but that’s how spam works! He has been at the school for over 10 years and has never had any type of incidents or reports against him. Just my 2 cents…
The schools did notify by phone. It’s a great school
Don’t blame the school. It is not at fault.
This is pure sick. My son is in prek at Jim Allen I sure wished I got a call from the school about this I swear people like him never need to see the sight of day again ! I’m very upset that the school didn’t notify me about this.
@Molino Jim
Right on. But to go further, law enforcement will NEVER admit they did anything wrong. Infact, they’ll push as hard as they can to save face. I know most here don’t “want” to believe it, but leo will plant evidence to justify actions. This entire story is being told by leo’s. All i’m sure of is the guy worked at the school over 10 years with only great things said about him. When we hear about images being found on computers, it’s thousands not 4.
That only makes me wanna know more. It makes me suspicious, not ready to string em up.
I agree with molino jim. There’s more to be learned here. It’s odd to find only 4 CP pictures on a suspect’s computers. Let’s wait for the evidence to come out.
Isn’t it time to slow down and get the facts and then make a judgement call. Some of us recall the young female who clamed she was molested by a music teacher. He was a volunteer at the school and was arrested. People on here were looking for a rope and a oak tree to hang him. Then the truth came out that she lied so she could change schools to be with her friends.He had to pay legal fees and such– he also said he wouldn’t be volunteing any more.
Glad he was caught and now let’s hope he doesn’t go in front of the same incompetent judge that the doctor did.
I agree with you Harold.$20,000.00 bond.WHAT.There should not be any bond for these perverts.Where there is smoke there is usually fire.My guess is they will find out lots more.
This is an alarming article. I, for one, think anything like child porn or child endangerment for that matter is one of the most hideous crimes imaginable. I dont know this man. Im not too sure if being in an elementary school setting is the right place for him, if the info reported in this story comes out as credible.
Let’s calm down. He hasn’t been found guilty of anything yet. Until he is tried it just isn’t fair to burn him at the stake. Too many things can be said to be kiddy porn that aren’t. And with so few counts against him (usually they find 100’s of pictures) I bet he isn’t guilty. I know of a few people who got charged with this, had their names and pictures published and announced all over the place and then had the charges dropped, but not until their lives were destroyed in the process. I’m a firm believer that names should be withheld until AFTER they go to court and are found guilty.
Anyone who has worked with this man knows what a hard worker he is. He has never once given anyone a reason to suspect this kind of action. If he is guilty then the truth will come to the surface and then judgement can be cast. Until the case is resolved and all the evidence and facts point directly at him lets not bury him yet and hope this is a mistake. I’ve had two kids go through Jim Allen and one there now. The truth will come. Then we will all know.
I pray for this individual as he has issues.
I hope if he really is found guilty they throw the book at him.But a 20 thousand dollar bond seems really low considering the charges they have and the extra ones they will pull off the equipment seized. I just dont understand the way this county goes about things sometimes.
My daughter is in the first grade and in the after school care program at Jim Allen. Mr. Yates is frequently around the children in the cafeteria when my husband or I pick her up from school. I pray to god this is a mistake!
My grandson & lots of other children I know goes to Jim Allen !! & his worked there for 10 years ?? TThats really bad !!! I always worried about the kids @ the bus stop !! Now @ the school !!! I’ve had 3 sons go there years past !! Years ago !! What is this world really coming to ??? Never know !! Always pays to be safe !! Teach your children what to do just in case !! & it always fa parents to be with there children @ the bus stop !! I’ve seen some crazy & worried things !! All just bware !!!!
I have 2 grandsons that goes there. Someone that’s gets there kicks from a child is sick. The one place you would think a child should be safe from harm. Why would anyone want to pay money for some one that’s does this to kids is a sick person there self. It’s as if there approving of there actions.
wow , im a 8th grader at ransom and when i was in jim allen he was there i never knew him for doing somthing like that , lets hope this is a mistake
People are surely sick. It’s disconcerting to see thid over and over, along with the erosion of morals, character, and the lack of sacrifice for what you believe.
That said, if i was friends with this guy and got pissed and wanted to hurt him, or a girlfriend being vindictive, what better way. Been there over 10 years without any complaints. Cops find 4 pictures after an anonymous tip ? 4 pictures, thats gotta be a record for least amount.
Not defending the guy at all (I think ALL chomos should die slow) but not far fetched to be set-up like that.
^^^^ as a parent also of a child that also attends that school i would like to ask you ” MOM”^^ how many pictures is enough and could one of those be a pic of ur child?? Without hesitation the school is awesome and not at fault. We cannot blame todays psycho world. And are children should not pay the consequences and parents should not half to worry about sending there kids to school for furthering education.
I don’t no what goin on my boys go there n when I showed them they said Mr. Sam I have no clue what goin on but let hope this is a mistake on someone part and if not then yes he should be put under the jail but you can’t blame someone until they are fpun guilty so let no down this man till we find out the faxs …..
My daughter is a 5th grader there. When I showed her this article she said that’s “Mr. Sam. I’ve known this man since Kindergarten”. She says he’s a VERY nice man. She was baffled when I told her what had happened. It was a great example of why you can’t trust strangers. I hate that this has happened but if he’s been there for 10 years and nothing has happened and they only found 4 pics on his computer, I think that says a lot. I think he can get help and possibly be okay. He needs prayers and God.
As a parent of a child at Jim Allen, we did receive a call from the principal at Jim Allen informing us of the arrest. Our childrens well being & safety is a priority of Jim Allen. I trust them daily with my child & will continue to trust them.
>>> “Florida is a messed up place”
Yes, it’s full of pedophiles and people who drive without licenses.
Not saying he shouldn’t be punished but they will throw him under the jail while the Dr. Because he is a good doctor got house arrest and probation.
Bet had he been a doctor a slap on the hand. The way judges are going, he will get probation and a warning don’t do it again!!
It will be interesting to see if this guy gets off as lightly as the doctor did.
And why did the parents have to find this out from North Escambia?. Thanks North Escambia for always putting the news out there. A knife was found on a student at
Jim Allen this year and not even the parents of children in this students class were notified. Maybe we need a new School Superintendent>
I am not defending Sam I will say I know him and we never know a person inside and out .I will say that Jim Allen staff are the best and never would have tolerated such if they suspected anything .I would not hesitate to send my grandchildren to that school it is one of the best in the county .
Really a 20,000 bond. That’s it. I drove without a license earlier last year and had to spend three months in jail with no bond waiting court. Florida is a messed up place
All 3 of my kids attend Jim Allen. When I asked if they knew this man, they spoke of what a nice man he was. What a monster!!! That’s really scary and just goes to show, you can’t trust anyone
Omgosh…my kids go to this school!!
Pure freaking sick and 20000 dollar bond get real I guess next time itll be a child hell molest and if anyone gets on here taking up for this creep youve also got issues