BENTONVILLE — A bus driver for the Springdale School District has been arrested on suspicion of possessing hundreds of images of child pornography, said Benton County Sheriff Kelley Cradduck.
Sheriff's Office deputies arrested George Odea, 65, at his Rogers home Tuesday.
Odea had more than 500 images of child pornography on his computer, Cradduck said.
“It was a case we targeted and expedited because we had someone who was working around children every day,” Cradduck said.
The Sheriff’s Office’s crybercrime unit was responsible for Odea’s arrest, Cradduck said. The unit of four detectives and an analyst was formed after Cradduck was sworn in Jan. 1.
Odea was being held in the Benton County Jail with no bond set. Prosecutors haven’t filed formal charges against Odea.
The Springdale School District placed Odea on administrative leave about a week ago, when district officials learned he was under investigation, said Superintendent Jim Rollins.
Odea will remain on leave until the investigation is complete, Rollins said.
Rick Schaeffer, school district spokesman, said Odea has worked for the district for about three years. His bus routes include Monitor Elementary School, Sonora Middle School and Springdale High School.