Travis Shane Smith, Distributing Child Pornography, Virginia 2021

Marion Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for Distributing Graphic Child Pornography

A disturbing case of child exploitation has come to an end as Travis Shane Smith, 38, of Marion, Virginia, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for distributing child sex abuse materials.

According to court documents, Smith was identified as a member of a known child pornography online chat room by an undercover law enforcement officer working out of Wisconsin. While on KIK’s chatroom messaging board, Smith used the KIK username ‘tman_1983’ to post multiple graphic videos of preteen children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including two videos of adult males having sex with prepubescent females.

Smith pleaded guilty in September 2021 to one count of knowingly distributing visual depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Virginia State Police, the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office, and the Marion Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena L. Busscher prosecuted the case. United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police, announced the sentencing.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of online vigilance and the need for law enforcement to protect our children from exploitation. As a society, we must work together to prevent such heinous crimes from occurring.

Travis Shane Smith’s sentence of 87 months in federal prison is a significant consequence for his actions. The public should be assured that law enforcement is committed to bringing perpetrators to justice and ensuring the safety of our communities.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant’s Name: Travis Shane Smith, Crime: Distributing Child Pornography, City and State: Marion, Virginia, Date: September 2021, Sentence: 87 months in federal prison.

Related Federal Cases