Toledo man indicted for having images of child sexual exploitation and rape

A Toledo man was indicted for receipt and distribution of child pornography, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.

Russell Smith, 50, received numerous images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, This took place between at least March 15 and August 10, 2017, according to the indictment.

Smith possessed more than 20 computer files and images of children, some as young as eight years old, being sexually abused and/or raped, according to court documents.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service in Toledo and is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Ballard Tangeman

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.