A former Miami County educator, convicted of pandering obscenity and illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented material, was sentenced Monday to two years in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender for 25 years.
Allen E. Smith, 68, of West Milton, pleaded no contest and was found guilty in November in Miami County Common Pleas Court.
Troy police said they began an investigation after meeting with the mother of a 14-year-old girl. A detective continued conversations Smith was having with the girl via electronic devices and set up a meeting with Smith at a local park. Smith thought he was going to meet with the girl.
Smith, addressing a courtroom audience that included as many as 20 supporters, said he took full responsibility for his actions.
“I completely got carried away … I was wrong to ever start the conversation and am very sorry for any and all ill effects,” he said, calling his own behavior “despicable.”
Smith, who asked the court for mercy so he could begin his recovery as soon as possible, said he had ruined his reputation.
County Prosecuting Attorney Tony Kendell said Smith should go to prison because the case involved children, “every community’s most valuable asset.”
Judge Christopher Gee said Smith’s conviction for illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented material required prison time unless it could be shown that a sentence of community control would protect the public and not demean the seriousness of the offense.
The judge reviewed several factors in deciding that prison time was required. Smith engaged in “numerous chats” with young girls and instructed them to take photos, said in multiple chats he was an educator, had in his possession videos of young children engaged in sexual acts and was released from treatment for sex addiction in 2014 for failing to follow treatment rules, Gee said.
The judge noted he had no information of any sexual contact involving Smith with a minor.
Smith, a former principal at Milton-Union High School, worked for the past 14 years in curriculum development at the county Educational Service Center. He resigned in September.
After the sentencing hearing, the 14-year-old girl’s mother said she felt “justice was done” and she hoped Smith would get counseling and the help he needed.
“Kids need to make sure they know who they are talking to,” she said. “I would encourage kids to communicate with their parents. If something seems out of place, go to someone … He preyed on the most innocent in our society.”
Defense lawyer Jose Lopez said he knew Smith when Lopez served on the Milton-Union Schools Board of Education. “This is a heartbreaking case for all involved,” Lopez said.
Smith, jailed on $250,000 bail since his arrest in October, will be credited with serving 109 days, which will be included in his overall sentence.
