Roger B. Handberg, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida
Sean-Michael Smith, a 36-year-old resident of Jacksonville, Florida, has been arrested and indicted for using the internet to access child sexual abuse materials. Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announced the charges against Smith, who is already a registered child sex offender following a 2014 conviction for distributing child pornography.
If found guilty, Smith could face a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in federal prison, along with a potential life term of supervised release. He was taken into custody on December 18, 2024, and remains detained while awaiting trial.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jacksonville conducted the investigation leading to Smith's arrest. Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown is handling the prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project brings together federal, state, and local resources to locate and prosecute offenders while identifying and rescuing victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment serves as a formal charge that alleges violations of federal criminal law. It is important to note that every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
