Assaults Of Young Girls In Lancaster Homes Lands Virginia Man Conviction: Prosecutor
A Virginia man has been convicted of sexually assaulting two young girls in Pennsylvania homes more than 20 years ago, prosecutors announced Wednesday, Feb. 11.
Jacob Lee Smyth, 45, of Woodlawn, VA, was found guilty on Tuesday, Jan. 14, following a three-day jury trial, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office.
The jury convicted Smyth of two counts of unlawful contact with a minor, two counts of indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age, and two counts of corruption of minors, the DA’s Office said.
Prosecutors said the assaults happened at two different co…
Canadian Man Traveled To Frederick Intending To Sexually Abuse Minor, Police Say
A man who traveled from Canada to Maryland with the intention of sexually abusing a minor is behind bars, authorities announced.
Mark Douglas Pridgeon, 49, of Nova Scotia, Canada, is facing charges after being apprehended by members of the Frederick Police Department late last month.
According to police, investigators learned that Pridgeon had traveled to the United States on multiple occasions for business purposes.
During a trip to Maryland in September, police became aware of potential criminal activity involving Pridgeon, who returned to the state on Tuesday, Oct. 21, and ch…
Man Travels 2,000 Miles To Assault Minor, Walks Into Police Trap In Fairfax County
A Utah man who thought he was meeting a minor in Virginia was instead met by undercover detectives in a sting operation targeting online predators, officials announced.
Jonathan Craig O’Neil, 39, was arrested on Saturday, March 16 after he traveled to Fairfax County to sexually assault a minor, according to Fairfax County police.
O’Neil had been communicating online with individuals he believed to be underage, but, in fact, were detectives from the department’s Child Exploitation Unit who were on the other end, police said.
When he arrived in Virginia, officers were waiting.
His arr…
Philly Man Who Sex Trafficked Child In Bucks, Delco Sentenced: Usdoj
A 29-year-old Philadelphia man has been sentenced to 23 years in federal prison for sex trafficking multiple victims including a minor, authorities said.
Kevin L. Smith was sentenced on Wednesday, July 31, according to U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero.
The charges stemmed from Smith’s operation of a sex trafficking ring in Philadelphia and the surrounding region, including Bucks and Delaware counties.
In September 2019, Smith knowingly harbored, maintained, and advertised a minor, knowing the minor would be caused to engage in sex for money, Romero said.
The defendant also o…
Haverhill Educator Sent Nude Photos To Teenage Student: DA
An education support staffer at Gateway Academy in Haverhill has been charged with sentence pornographic material of himself to a 16-year-old student, authorities announced Friday.
Justin Smith, 25, was charged with two counts of distributing obscene matter to a minor on Thursday, June 13, the Essex County District Attorney said. He was arraigned on Friday.
A judge ordered him held on $4,000 bail. If he can pay that, he must stay away from the school and alleged victim, have no contact with minors, and remain in home confinement, the prosecutor added.
It's unclear h…
