Larry Goldsmith, 26, from Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for transporting a minor with the intent to engage in sexual activity. This sentence will be followed by a lifetime of supervised release.
Court documents reveal that in 2020, Goldsmith initiated contact with a 14-year-old girl from Michigan via social media platforms Spot-a-Friend and Snapchat. Despite being aware of her age, he engaged in sexually explicit conversations with her.
In late August 2020, 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. At that time, Goldsmith was 21 years old. During their journey back to Indiana, he engaged in sexually explicit conduct at a rest stop before taking her across state lines to his rented home in Indianapolis. There, he continued sexual relations with the minor and impregnated her.
Goldsmith's offenses did not end there. He later committed similar acts against another child in Georgia by drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl. For these crimes committed in Georgia, he pleaded guilty and received a sentence of 15 years in federal prison.
"Goldsmith is no longer a danger to children and families in our community," stated John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. "He is a manipulative child predator who used social media tools to abuse a vulnerable child repeatedly."
Herbert J. Stapleton, FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge said: "The FBI is unwavering in our mission to protect the most vulnerable members of our society – our children." He emphasized that this case highlights the disturbing reality of sexual exploitation.
IMPD Chief Chris Bailey commented on the sentencing: "This sentence sends a clear message—those who harm children will be held accountable."
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and IMPD. U.S. District Judge Matthew P. Brookman imposed the sentence which requires Goldsmith to register as a sex offender for life wherever he resides or works.
Acting U.S. Attorney Childress extended gratitude towards Assistant U.S. Attorney MaryAnn T. Mindrum for prosecuting this case.
This case falls under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local resources.