Virginia governor pardons father convicted of disorderly conduct at school board meeting
Scott Smith angrily confronted Loudon County school board officials after his daughter was sexually assaulted
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The father of a teenage sexual assault victim who was convicted of disorderly conduct after angrily confronting school officials has been pardoned by Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin.
Scott Smith made national headlines when he was arrested by sheriff’s deputies during a heated exchange at a Loudoun County School Board meeting in 2021.
Mr Smith had been protesting how a student who had previously assaulted a female classmate at a Stone Bridge High School was allowed to transfer to Broad Run High School, where he abducted and sexually assaulted his daughter in October that year.
The teenager was convicted of two sexual assaults and to sentenced to confinement in a “locked residential programme”.
GOP threat to impeach a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice is driven by fear of losing legislative edge
Loudon County teen at center of sexual assault case that roiled Virginia sentenced to ‘locked residential programme’
Trump on trial, DeSantis wilting: But don’t expect Glenn Youngkin to be the Republicans’ 2024 white knight
The father was convicted of disorderly conduct, and a second charge of resisting arrest was later thrown out.
The incident became a flashpoint during the Virginia governor’s election after Mr Smith claimed that the transgressor was “gender fluid” and that a school policy allowing transgender people to use the bathroom matching their gender identity was to blame for the attacks.
Mr Youngkin announced the pardon on Fox News Sunday with host Shannon Bream.
In a statement, he said: “Scott Smith is a dedicated parent who’s faced unwarranted charges in his pursuit to protect his daughter. Scott’s commitment to his child despite the immense obstacles is emblematic of the parental empowerment movement that started in Virginia.”
Mr Scott thanked the governor in a statement released through his lawyers to NBC4 for “his absolute and unconditional pardon.”
“My family has been living a nightmare that no family in America should have to endure,” the statement read.
“But rather than sit quietly and take it, I decided to stand up against the government — and for that I was branded a ‘domestic terrorist’ and charged with crimes that I did not commit.”
A scathing special grand jury report released last year found that the second attack could have been avoided.
The report showed there was no “cover up” of the assaults by Loudon County school administrators or the board.
Former superintendent Scott Ziegler and spokesperson Wayde Byard were indicted by a grand jury last year over their handling of the assaults.
Mr Byard was found not guilty of perjury during a trial this year. Mr Ziegler is due to go on trial this month on misdemeanour counts of false publication, prohibited conduct and penalising an employee for a court appearance.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments