Larry P. Smith, Child Pornography, USA 2024

A 67-year-old former Canton resident, Larry P. Smith, has been dragged back to U.S. soil from Vietnam to face a federal indictment on child pornography charges. Smith was taken into custody Wednesday upon arrival in the United States, marking the end of a years-long manhunt that spanned continents.

The two-count indictment, unsealed the same day as his extradition, charges Smith with one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. According to court records, in October 2013, Smith knowingly received and distributed numerous computer files containing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Just a month later, on November 20, 2013, he was in possession of multiple devices—several laptops, an Apple computer, and external hard drives—loaded with images of prepubescent children involved in sexual activity. At the time of the alleged crimes, Smith lived in Canton, Ohio, before fleeing to Florida and eventually vanishing overseas.

Investigators traced Smith to Vietnam, where he was located and apprehended through a coordinated effort between the FBI and international authorities. He was returned to the U.S. on Wednesday and is scheduled to appear in federal court this afternoon in Seattle, where the case will be formally processed before potential transfer to Ohio.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Canton Police Department, reflecting the long reach of federal law enforcement in tracking down predators who believe they can escape justice by fleeing the country. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik is leading the prosecution.

An indictment is not a conviction. Smith is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If found guilty, the court will determine his sentence based on federal guidelines, including the nature of the offense and any prior criminal history. The statutory maximum penalties for these charges carry severe prison time, but the final sentence will be decided by the judge after full review.