Florida Man Sentenced To 121 Months In Prison For Child Exploitation Crime

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Brett Michael Smith, age 35, of Hillsborough County, Florida, was sentenced yesterday to 121 months' imprisonment by United States District Judge Karoline Mehalchick for receipt of child pornography.

According to the United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, pursuant to a federal search warrant, FBI agents seized and analyzed Smith's cell phone and computers. The forensic analysis uncovered approximately 20,000 images and 4,500 videos of child pornography including videos that depict sadistic imagery and the sexual abuse of multiple children including infants. A review of Smith's Internet search history showed that he searched for child pornography on multiple occasions beginning in November 2020 and continuing through March 13, 2025.

The investigation was conducted by FBI - Philadelphia Division, Allentown RAC, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (Tampa, Florida), the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (Largo, Florida), and the Minersville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Tatum Wilson prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/pscLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

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