A former school resource officer for Easton Area High School admitted Thursday to sending an explicit image to a student, according to authorities.
Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta said in a news release that Palmer Township police Officer John Smoke, 46, pleaded guilty to one count of corruption of minors.
Smoke was charged last year after the DA’s office was told he sent a photo to the student, and also sent the student cash through an app. Additionally, he contacted her at inappropriate hours, according to authorities.
In a statement following his arrest, Palmer police said Smoke had been suspended with “intent to terminate.” Additionally, the department said the interactions between Smoke and the student were an “isolated matter.”
“There is no indication that there are any other student victims and no other students have ongoing contact with Officer Smoke,” their statement read in part.
His attorney, John Waldron, said Smoke will not work in law enforcement again after a career spanning more than 20 years. He said Smoke takes responsibility for his actions.
Smoke is scheduled to be sentenced in July.
