Adrian Smith, Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Minor, Pennsylvania 2016

SCRANTON – In a disturbing case, a New York man has been charged with attempting to sex traffic minors in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Adrian Smith, 21, is accused of participating in the attempted sex trafficking of three female minors in August 2016.

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Smith faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a potential maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted. The charge stems from an investigation by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from Scranton Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.

It’s worth noting that indictments and criminal informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

In this case, the maximum penalty under federal law is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs.

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