WASHINGTON — A Loudoun County Public Schools teacher has been suspended without pay following his arrest last week on allegations of soliciting a minor.
Virgnia court records show William Cody Smallwood, of Front Royal, was charged Thursday with one count of using a communication system to propose a sex act to a minor under the age of 15. The charge is a class 5 felony that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison upon conviction if the offender is more than seven years older than the victim and a maximum sentence of up to 40 years.
Smallwood was hired by LCPS in 2017 and was a teacher at Heritage High School in Leesburg. Last August, Heritage High School Principal Jeff Adam sent a brief letter to the school community saying Smallwood had been placed on leave without any additional information. According to court filings, the alleged incident occurred last July in Frederick County.
Earlier this week, Adam sent two additional letters to Heritage High School families informing them Smallwood had been charged with a felony and would be suspended without pay. Adam said the charges did not involve Heritage High School and LCPS was not currently part of the investigation.
“Please be assured that we are committed to providing a safe and nurturing learning environment for our students and that all staff are expected to adhere to the highest ethical practices and conduct,” Adam wrote.
Smallwood made an initial appearance in Frederick Circuit Court on Monday and was released on bond. He was scheduled to appear in court again Thursday morning to discuss attorney arrangements.