Edward Eugene Smith, 34, from Cadillac, Michigan, has been convicted of multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of a minor. He pleaded no contest in Wexford County's 28th Circuit Court to Child Sexually Abusive Activity, Accosting a Minor for Immoral Purposes, and Using a Computer to Commit Child Sexually Abusive Activity. The crimes occurred in 2018, when Smith was 28, and involved taking photos of a 15-year-old girl in suggestive poses, according to the Department of Attorney General.
The conviction was achieved through Operation Survivor Justice, a joint effort of the Michigan Department of Attorney General, local county prosecutors, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Smith had fled Michigan after criminal charges in 2018 but was arrested in February in Seattle, Washington, and extradited back to Michigan. Attorney General Nessel said, "My office will continue to prosecute and hold offenders accountable, no matter how long they have evaded justice," as reported by the Department of Attorney General.
Edward Smith, previously convicted in 2010 for assaulting a minor, was arrested through Operation Survivor Justice, which targets people with active sexual assault warrants. He has pleaded guilty as a second-offense habitual offender and is scheduled for sentencing on October 23 before Judge Bill Fagerman in the 28th Circuit Court in Michigan, as stated by the Department of Attorney General.
