In a case that San Mateo residents have closely watched, 38-year-old Richard Smith, who was previously arrested under suspicion of illicit contact with a minor, has been handed down a 52-month prison sentence. According to a post by the San Mateo County District Attorney, Smith was called "every parent's worst nightmare" by the judge and was convicted for trying to lure what he believed was a 14-year-old girl to a park for sexual activity.
Richard Smith (38) identified at sentencing by the judge as, "every parent's worst nightmare," was sentenced to 52 months in prison for luring who he thought was a 14 yr old girl to a park for sex, where he was arrested by @SanMateoPD. Unfortunately for him, "Maggie" was a decoy. pic.twitter.com/fkyXGmr508
— San Mateo County District Attorney (@SanMateoCoDA) June 26, 2025
The events leading to Smith's arrest unfolded when he sent explicit texts and photographs to an individual he presumed was a minor. San Mateo Police Department set the trap, with detectives acting in the role of a 14-year-old girl. They could apprehend Smith when he arrived at Laurie Meadows Park quickly, the agreed-upon meeting spot.
According to a report by CBS News San Francisco, the suspect approached an undercover officer before he was arrested.
