Mitchell Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

(Pierre) – Jeffrey Smith of rural Mitchell pled guilty in Hanson County today to four counts of possession of child pornography. Smith was arrested in February.

“These cases are becoming far too common in South Dakota and we’re doing our best to put these guys behind bars,” commented Attorney General Mark Barnett.

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Governor’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, the Davison County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hanson County Sheriff’s Office started investigating Smith earlier this year.

The Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Social Services Legal Services prosecuted the case.

Smith is scheduled to be sentenced on June 25.  He could face up to eight years in prison.

-30-