LITTLE ROCK (AR)
KFSM-TV CBS5 [Fort Smith AK]
April 12, 2025
By Spencer Bailey
Paul Scouten, the office manager at St. Joseph since 2016, was arrested on April 10. He’s accused of having CSAM on his phone and work computer, the diocese said.
An employee at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Tontitown is currently on leave amid an investigation after child sexual abuse material (CSAM) was allegedly found in his possession, according to the Diocese of Little Rock.
The diocese, which oversees dozens of parishes across Arkansas, shared in a letter on April 10 that Paul Scouten, the office manager at St. Joseph, was arrested.
The letter said Scouten had been employed in the role since August 2016, adding that he’s currently on administrative leave and barred from the church’s grounds until a decision is made about his employment.
“Mr. Scouten is alleged to have images of child sexual abuse on his personal phone,” the letter said. “After Mr. Scouten’s arrest, officers with the Arkansas State Police served a search warrant at the parish office and took his work computer to determine whether it contained any images of child sexual abuse, and we have been notified that it does.”
The diocese said that while CSAM was allegedly found on his work computer, there is “nothing to indicate any of the children or youth at your parish or any of the students at Ozark Catholic Academy have been involved.”
The letter explained that information was limited due to the active nature of the investigation but more information, including reassurance that children and students related to the church were not involved, would be shared when available.
Scouten, 39, of Fayetteville, was booked into the Washington County Detention Center on April 10. His booking said that he was arrested by Arkansas State Police and faces one count of distributing, possessing, or viewing child porn.
As of April 12, Scouten was still in jail on a $25,000 bond. He’s expected in Washington County court on May 7.
The letter said that anyone with information related to the allegations against Scouten is encouraged to contact state police at (479) 783-5195.
“The Diocese of Little Rock is committed to all of its parishes, schools, and facilities being a safe environment for children and young people,” the letter added. “All allegations of child sexual abuse, which includes sexually explicit images of minors, are taken with the utmost seriousness.
The full letter can be read here, and the Diocese of Little Rock’s policy for child sex abuse allegations can be found here.