Repeat Sex Offender Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Attempting to Entice Teen Via Social Media

           A repeat sex offender who has multiple convictions for failing to register with law enforcement was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 14 years in prison and lifetime supervised release for a new set of sex crimes involving children, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.  PATRICK ALLEN SMITH, 46, pleaded guilty in May 2016 to attempted enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography.  At sentencing U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Zilly indicated a lengthy sentence is necessary to protect the public saying “these charges are very troubling to the court.”

            According to records filed in the case, SMITH was the subject of two separate law enforcement investigations in the spring of 2015.  The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office was investigating a complaint that SMITH had contacted a 14-year-old boy on Facebook and later by text, sending sexually explicit materials and attempting to arrange a meeting with the boy.  Fortunately, the teen’s family learned of the contact and reported it to police.  During that same time period, the Seattle Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) opened an investigation of SMITH concerning his receipt and distribution of child pornography.  SMITH was arrested in October 2015 for failing to register as a sex offender, and ultimately more than 600 images of young children being raped and molested were found on his electronic devices.

            SMITH is required to register as a sex offender following his conviction for child molestation in 1989 when he assaulted a child in a locker room at a YMCA.  He was convicted in 1994 for breaking into a home in an attempt to molest a young child residing there.  In 1995, 1997, 2005 and 2012, he was convicted of failing to register as a sex offender.

            The case was investigated by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, the Seattle Police Department’s Internet Crimes against Children Task Force (ICAC) and the U.S. Secret Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson. Ms. Gregson is a Senior King County Deputy prosecutor specially designated to prosecute child exploitation cases in federal court.