Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced Tuesday that a Saline County man has been sentenced to 15 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction on child exploitation charges.
Lance Smith, 26, of Benton, pleaded guilty to five counts of distributing, possessing or viewing matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving children. In addition to his prison sentence, Smith must register as a sex offender.
“I am committed to getting these predators out of our neighborhoods and off the internet,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “The Cyber Crimes Unit at the Attorney General’s office and local prosecutors work diligently to protect Arkansas children and families, and I appreciate the partnerships across the State to protect our children and ensure these dangerous criminals are brought to justice.”
Smith was arrested in 2015 on a search warrant executed by the Attorney General’s Cyber Crimes Unit. An attorney from the Attorney General’s office was appointed by the 22nd Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Ken Casady as special deputy prosecutor. Judge Ted Capeheart sentenced Smith in Saline County Circuit Court.
PREVIOUSLY: Benton Man Arrested on Child Pornography Charges https://www.mysaline.com/lance-smith-child-porn-1506/
