Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana
Larry Goldsmith, a 26-year-old from Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. The sentence follows his guilty plea to charges of transporting a minor with the intent to engage in sexual activity. After serving his sentence, he will be under supervised release for life.
Court documents reveal that in 2020, Goldsmith initiated contact with a 14-year-old girl from Michigan through social media platforms Spot-a-Friend and Snapchat. Despite knowing her age, he engaged in explicit conversations with her. In August of that year, after the girl had an argument with her mother and expressed a desire to run away, Goldsmith drove over four hours to pick her up near her home in Michigan.
During their journey back to Indiana, Goldsmith engaged in sexually explicit conduct at a rest stop and subsequently transported the minor across state lines to his rented home in Indianapolis. He continued the abuse during their time living together and impregnated the girl.
Goldsmith's criminal activities extended beyond this case. He committed similar offenses against another child in Georgia by drugging and raping a 13-year-old. For these crimes, he was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty in 2022.
John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana stated: “Goldsmith is no longer a danger to children and families in our community.” He described Goldsmith as "a manipulative child predator" who exploited social media tools for abuse.
FBI Indianapolis Special Agent Herbert J. Stapleton emphasized the agency's commitment: "The FBI is unwavering in our mission to protect...our children." He added that this case highlights the issue of sexual exploitation and ensures that Goldsmith will remain incarcerated.
IMPD Chief Chris Bailey remarked on the implications of the sentence: “This sentence sends a clear message—those who harm children will be held accountable.” He credited law enforcement agencies nationwide for their role in apprehending Goldsmith.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation alongside IMPD officers. U.S. District Judge Matthew P. Brookman imposed the sentence requiring Goldsmith's lifelong registration as a sex offender wherever he resides or works.
Acting U.S. Attorney Childress acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorney MaryAnn T. Mindrum’s efforts in prosecuting this case under Project Safe Childhood—a Department of Justice initiative launched to combat child sexual exploitation online since May 2006.
