Dustin Smith, 30, of Utica, New York, pleaded guilty to a four-count indictment for distributing, receiving, and possessing child pornography. The plea, announced by U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent Matthew Scarpino, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James, reveals Smith’s extensive criminal activity involving minors.
Smith, previously convicted of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree in 2013, admitted to using a cell phone to send and receive thousands of images and videos of child pornography while under parole supervision in 2022. He exchanged explicit videos with at least two identified minor children, violating the terms of his parole.
Scheduled for sentencing on November 20, 2024, Smith faces severe penalties. Each count of receipt and distribution carries a statutory minimum of 15 years and up to 40 years in prison. The possession count could result in an additional 10 to 20 years. Post-imprisonment, Smith will be under supervised release for five years to life, must register as a sex offender, pay restitution to his victims, and forfeit the device used in his crimes.
The investigation, spearheaded by HSI with support from the New York State Police Computer Crimes Unit, New York State Parole, and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, is part of Project Safe Childhood. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone is prosecuting the case under this initiative, which aims to combat child exploitation.
Project Safe Childhood, launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice, coordinates federal, state, and local efforts to apprehend and prosecute those who exploit children online. The initiative also focuses on identifying and rescuing victims. For more information, visit Project Safe Childhood.
Smith’s case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to protect children from exploitation and bring offenders to justice. The severity of the charges and the expected sentencing highlight the gravity of his offenses and the commitment of authorities to safeguarding vulnerable populations.
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