A University of Utah professor has been arrested for allegedly viewing child porn in his first-class seat on a Delta flight from Salt Lake City to Boston. A passenger sitting behind Grant D. Smith snapped a picture of the engineering professor's laptop screen and sent it to his son, asking him to alert Massachusetts police. According to a police spokesman, Smith's computer contained "disturbing images of child pornography," showing girls as young as 6 engaging in simulated sex acts. The passenger also notified a flight attendant, who told Smith, 47, to shut off his laptop. After being warned, Smith reportedly tried to erase the images from his computer.
On November 28, 2011, Smith pleaded not guilty to a charge of possession of child pornography. He is being held in a Boston jail in lieu of $15,000 bond. The University of Utah has placed Smith on administrative leave.