Former Dixon Teacher Carissa Jenna Smith Awaits Sentencing After Pleading Guilty in Student Sex Crimes Case

Former Dixon teacher Carissa Jenna Smith, 31, is set to be sentenced later this month after pleading guilty to two felony charges in a disturbing student sex crimes case that has rocked Pulaski County, Missouri.

Smith entered her guilty pleas on September 17 to first-degree child welfare endangerment (a Class D felony) and sexual contact with a student (a Class E felony). The charges carry maximum prison terms of seven years and four years, respectively. Sentencing is scheduled for November 19 before Circuit Judge Brendon Fox in Pulaski County Circuit Court.

The guilty pleas came after prosecutors alleged that Smith engaged in sexual acts with multiple students and provided them with money, drugs, and alcohol in exchange for sexual activity.

According to a Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office report, Smith allegedly used her position as an educator to “manipulate students into sexual acts” and rewarded them with cash, marijuana, and alcohol. Court documents describe a pattern of sexual encounters, explicit exchanges, and substance use involving several minors between January 2023 and September 2024.

Investigators said one male student reported that Smith propositioned him, offering money for sex. He told deputies that after several encounters — including meetings at her home and a local river — Smith paid him between $100 and $150 each time, provided marijuana, and told him to keep their relationship secret because she “would get in trouble.”

The same student said Smith told him not to worry about pregnancy because she had “her tubes tied.” He also alleged that Smith once forced him into sexual activity and paid him extra afterward.

Authorities say additional juveniles were also involved, some of whom exchanged explicit photos and videos with Smith. Witnesses claimed that Smith and another woman drank alcohol and used marijuana with the minors.

Smith was initially charged with 18 criminal counts, including statutory rape, statutory sodomy, sexual trafficking of a child, and multiple counts of child welfare endangerment. Most of those charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

The case intensified in September when Prosecutor Jeffrey Thomas moved to revoke Smith’s bond, alleging she violated court orders by contacting one of the victims. Deputies found a minor at her Dixon home at 10:25 p.m. on September 7, violating conditions barring her from contact with minors or victims.

Judge Fox revoked her bond the next day and later reinstated it under tighter supervision, imposing renewed restrictions.

Court records show that Smith began working in the Dixon R-I School District in August 2022 as a substitute teacher at Dixon Middle School. She later worked as a paraprofessional at Dixon High School and advanced to a long-term substitute teacher position in July 2024. Smith resigned on August 30, 2024, shortly before her arrest.

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office concluded that Smith “used her authority and role as an educator to exploit and manipulate minors” and allowed them to consume alcohol and drugs in her presence.

Smith’s sentencing on November 19 will determine whether she serves prison time with the Missouri Department of Corrections or receives a probationary sentence under strict conditions.