PEORIA, IL – Noah Joseph Smith, 37, of East Peoria, Illinois, is headed to federal prison for over twelve years after pleading guilty to possessing horrific child sexual abuse material. Smith was sentenced on March 23, 2022, to 151 months – 12 years and seven months – followed by a lifetime of supervised release. The sentence comes after a probation officer discovered a hidden smart phone during a routine home visit, triggering a new investigation into Smith’s depraved habits.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office detailed how the LG smart phone, found on Smith’s bed in March 2021, was never reported to authorities as required under the terms of his supervised release from a previous conviction for receiving child pornography. This blatant disregard for the law quickly spiraled into the discovery of “numerous videos and images” depicting the sexual abuse of children. Smith was indicted in April 2021 and entered a guilty plea in September of the same year.
U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid didn’t mince words during sentencing, emphasizing the enduring trauma inflicted on the children featured in the images. “Those who think these are victimless crimes could not be farther from the truth,” the judge stated, acknowledging the long-lasting psychological damage caused by such exploitation. Shadid revealed a disturbing pattern of behavior, noting Smith’s prior conviction in 2007 for aggravated criminal sexual abuse – an incident where he assaulted a child using ether – and his 2008 conviction for receiving child pornography.
This isn’t just about possessing illegal content; it’s a repeat offender escalating his crimes. Smith’s supervised release from the 2008 case had only begun months before his 2021 arrest, demonstrating a complete lack of remorse and a continued threat to vulnerable children. While no fine was imposed, Smith is ordered to pay $23,000 in restitution to victims. He also received an additional 24 months to run concurrently with his current sentence, stemming from violations of his supervised release terms.
U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris vowed continued prosecution of those who prey on children. “We will vigorously prosecute those who prey upon children,” Harris said. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Secret Service, the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Probation Office, highlighting the need for interagency cooperation in tackling this heinous crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Hollingshead-Cook prosecuted the case.
The case falls under Project Safe Childhood, a national Department of Justice initiative dedicated to combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project focuses on identifying, rescuing, and prosecuting perpetrators like Smith. The statutory penalties for possessing child pornography carry a mandatory minimum of 10 years, with up to 20 years imprisonment possible with a qualifying prior conviction, alongside a lifetime of supervised release and significant financial penalties. Those seeking more information about Project Safe Childhood can visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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