Former River Road ISD Employee Arrested for Child Exploitation

When you hear about people being arrested, you expect it to be for theft, drugs, DUIs, or unpaid parking tickets, you don't want to hear about the big stuff.

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Benjamin Jacob Short was arrested on Wednesday, July 19. He was arrested and is on a Federal hold for certain activity related to the sexual exploitation of a child. He is currently being held at the Randall County Jail.

Short was employed by River Road ISD as a paraprofessional. River Road ISD Superintendent Richard Kelley sent out a response to the arrest:

Although the District is unaware of any alleged misconduct by this former employee at any of its schools or that any District technology was used by the former employee in the alleged commission of the offense charged, the District has already been in communication with the Amarillo Police Department. We will continue cooperating with law enforcement and other state agencies to the fullest extent the law permits. <br />The former employee, who is the subject of the investigation, had voluntarily resigned at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. The District is not aware of any other District employees implicated in this matter.

Mr. Kelley went on to say that "River Road ISD is dedicated to the health, safety, and education of all children. Please be assured that the District has taken steps to keep our students safe. The District’s policies concerning improper educator conduct, acceptable use of electronic equipment, and personal relationships between staff and students are strictly enforced. Employees receive regular training and warnings regarding unprofessional conduct, including improper conduct involving students. If you have concerns about inappropriate behavior by a school employee or suspected child exploitation, please contact your school’s administration or local law enforcement immediately."

Short, as with all with legal action pending, is innocent until proven guilty. As citizens of Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle who may have children in our local schools, the hope is that the allegation is not true. As of the time of posting no other information was given about Short's arrest.

Back in 2012, John David Bryan, a former River Road ISD and Amarillo High teacher was charged with six counts of improper relationship with a student. He was given 10 years of deferred adjudication.

Potter County Sheriffs Office

We'll continue to follow this store closely and will update you with any information released on the allegations and arrest of Benjamin Short.

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Note from editor: An indictment is not a conviction. All individuals shown below who have not appeared in court for a judgement are to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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