United States Attorney Leura G. Canary Middle District of Alabama

OUT-OF-STATE MAN INDICTED FOR CHILD SEX TAPE

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA— On August 16, 2007, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against Rickey Randell Wrex Smith, 52. The indictment charges Smith with producing, transporting, and possessing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Leura G. Canary.

It is alleged that over a period of time beginning in approximately May 2000, Smith videotaped himself sexually assaulting minor children. It is further alleged that Smith, who according to the indictment was known by a number of aliases, including “Ray Ward,” “James Tod,” “Bryan Edgar White,” and “Montana,” actually brought the explicit videotape into Dale County, Alabama, on or before December 26, 2005.

If he is convicted of producing child pornography, Smith could be sentenced to serve the rest of his life in prison. The other charges against Smith carry a combined maximum penalty of 60 years imprisonment. All three counts of the indictment provide for the imposition of a fine not to exceed $250,000 and as much as a lifetime on supervised release.

Smith is currently incarcerated at the Eastern Reception Diagnostic and Corrections Center in Bonne Terre, Missouri, for violating his parole on a 1983 conviction for sodomy. His initial appearance and arraignment have not been set.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In May 2006, the U.S. Department of Justice launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

The indictment is the result of a year-long investigation by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and officers of the Ozark Police Department. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nathan D. Stump.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.