Kerry Smith, Child Sex Exploitation, New York 2014

Syracuse Woman Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting 10-Year-Old Child

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - In a disturbing case of child exploitation, 42-year-old Kerry Smith of Syracuse was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting a 10-year-old child.

On April 10, 2014, Smith engaged in sexually explicit conduct with the minor, produced images of the abuse, and distributed the images to an individual known to her using a texting application on her cellular telephone. The images were later recovered from a computer belonging to Jason Kopp, a 235-year sentence recipient for the exploitation of other children, following his arrest in 2016.

Smith's case was investigated by the Albany Division of the FBI - Syracuse Resident Agency, and the New York State Police, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Fletcher, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator for the Northern District of New York, handling the prosecution.

According to sources, Project Safe Childhood is a federal initiative launched by the U.S. Attorney's Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in May 2006. The program aims to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information, visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

Smith will serve 180 months (15 years) in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release. She will also be required to register as a sex offender.

Smith's case highlights the dangers of online exploitation and the importance of initiatives like Project Safe Childhood in protecting vulnerable individuals. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/syracuse-woman-sentenced-sexually-exploiting-10-year-old-child