[A] first-grade paraeducator at Colchester Union Memorial School has been charged with possession of child pornogrpahy.

Bradley Smith, 66, of Jericho, was found to have more than 100 sexually explicit images of minors on his computer, some as young as 5 years old, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Vermont.

He was arrested Monday and, after a brief appearance in U.S, District Court in Burlington, ordered released on conditions until an April 16 hearing.

Authorities said Smith told them he had been interested in child pornography for “decades,” and that he found the images sexually arousing.

The Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a file depicting child pornography had been uploaded to the internet from Smith’s Jericho residence, according to a police affidavit. Law enforcement officers arrived with a search warrant for the residence early Monday morning, where they found Smith and his two children, a 16-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl.

When asked if he’d used his phone or computer to view child pornography, Smith said “I’ve seen it, yeah.” When authorities asked if they’d find child pornography on his computer, he said “you might, yeah.”

Smith told law enforcement that he typically searches for girls and that he last viewed child pornography on Sunday. He said he has never taken an inappropriate photo of a child and has never inappropriately touched a child.

When he was shown the image authorities had received in the tip, Smith did not immediately recognize it, according to the affidavit, but later said he “might have had that image at one point.” Smith said he has never moved images onto a thumb drive, DVD or other external hard drive.

Union Memorial School put out a statement saying officials cannot discuss the specifics of any actions they intend to take, nor can they provide information about the employee.

“At this time, law enforcement has no evidence of any misconduct by this employee on school grounds or with any children in the Colchester School District,” the statement said.

The district said when it becomes aware of allegations of sexual misconduct by an employee, the employee is typically put on administrative leave until an investigation is complete, during which time the employee cannot return to school or have contact with students or staff. If the charges against the employee are substantiated, the person faces disciplinary action, in most cases termination.

“The safety of our students and staff are our highest priority,” the statement said. “The district is committed to taking all necessary actions to protect them.”

Smith’s April 16 arraignment is set for 10 a.m. in federal court.