Jamie M. Powell and Richard Smith, residents of Anderson, Indiana, have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in the sexual exploitation of a minor. Powell received a 25-year sentence followed by supervised release for life after admitting guilt to conspiracy and actual and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor. She is also required to pay $10,000 in restitution.
Smith was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison with lifetime supervision after pleading guilty to similar charges and possession of child sexual abuse material. His sentence will run consecutively with state convictions related to methamphetamine dealing and battery on a public safety officer, totaling additional imprisonment terms.
Court documents reveal that Powell's offenses involved her own children, specifically Minor Victim 1, who was between one and two years old during the incidents. The Department of Child Services had previously filed for termination of Powell’s parental rights in early 2020. Powell later moved into an apartment with some of her children and Smith.
Between late 2020 and early 2021, Powell and Smith exchanged messages discussing Smith’s interest in sexually exploiting Powell’s children. They conspired for Powell to create explicit content involving Minor Victim 1 during supervised visits by deceiving supervisors.
Authorities discovered over 2,400 image files on Powell’s phone depicting child sex abuse material alongside numerous videos involving bestiality. Smith's phone contained over 5,000 images and videos of similar content.
The case was investigated by multiple agencies including the Indiana State Police, U.S. Secret Service, Indianapolis Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force, with assistance from the Indiana Department of Corrections. U.S. District Court Judge Richard L. Young delivered the sentences.
Acting United States Attorney John E. Childress emphasized the importance of prosecuting such crimes: “Parents...are cruel and vile monsters." Special Agent Ike Barnes stated: “Child sexual exploitation is a heinous crime that will not be tolerated.”
Detective Bradley Tucker urged reporting suspected child exploitation crimes while expressing gratitude towards Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany Preston for her dedication to justice in this case.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood initiated by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation nationwide.