Created: 7/9/2004 7:12:46 PM 
By Darryl Tardy First Coast News
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- It was on the courts behind Mandarin High School where 54 year-old Kenneth Wayne Smith mentored many kids and adults to become tennis pros. But police say something else sidelined Smith that led to his appearance in a different court.
John Williams, the Director of Professional Standards for the Duval County School District told First Coast News, "Mr Smith was caught in what apparently was a nationwide sting for child pornography." Smith appeared in Federal Court Thursday on charges of possessing child pornography.
First Coast News has learned that earlier this week, FBI agents raided Smith's Mandarin home seizing 139 compact disks and four computers.
Authorities say Smith downloaded the images then distributed the pictures for about a year. Many of the images where of children and young infants.
Williams says, "Our primary task is always to protect the safety and well-being of the children."
Williams says Smith worked for the district for over a year as a community ed instructor teaching tennis on the weekends at Mandarin High. "He had one youth group in the tennis regiment and I understand three or four other groups but they were adults." Now police want to know if any children Smith coached might have been involved. Williams adds,
"Right now we're trying to get a roster of all of the students that he may have come in contact with. The police, FBI, and certainly the school district will be in touch with these families."
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is also getting involved in this investigation. Detectives were out Friday interviewing parents. Investigators say more charges could follow.
Smith has a detention hearing in federal court next week. He has since been fired by the school district.
If you have any information that could help investigators, please call our partners, First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS. You'll remain anonymous and could receive a reward up to $1000.
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