Sean-Michael Smith, a 36-year-old resident of Jacksonville, has been arrested and indicted for allegedly using the internet to access child sexual abuse materials. Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announced that if Smith is convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and could serve up to 20 years in federal prison. He may also be subject to a potential life term of supervised release.
Smith, who is already a registered child sex offender following a 2014 conviction for distributing child pornography, was taken into custody on December 18, 2024. He remains detained as he awaits trial.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Jacksonville office conducted the investigation leading to Smith's arrest. Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown is prosecuting the case.
This indictment forms part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 aimed at addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program leverages resources from federal, state, and local levels to pursue individuals involved in such crimes and rescue affected children.
For further details about Project Safe Childhood, information can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.