New York man convicted of sexual exploitation of 14-year-old girl

CEDAR RAPIDS — A New York man who sent sexually explicit photos and asked for some in exchange from a person he believed was a 14-year-old girl on an dating app last August, pleaded guilty Thursday and faces up to 10 years in prison.

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Robert L. Smith, 45, of Groveland, N.Y., pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class C felony. His other charges of grooming and phone dissemination of obscene material to minors will be dismissed at sentencing as part of the plea agreement.

According to a criminal complaint, Smith contacted a profile operated by a Cedar Rapids police investigator who was posing as a teen on a dating website. Smith then started a texting conversation and the investigator verified that Smith knew the profile belonged to a 14-year-old girl.

Smith asked the teen for explicit photos and engaged in sexual conversation with the teen, the complaint stated. He asked her to be his “girlfriend” and he talked about sexual acts. He also sent the teen sexually explicit photos of himself.

According to the plea, there is no agreement on sentencing. Smith likely will argue for a suspended sentence and probation and the prosecution is free to argue for prison time.

At sentencing, a judge also will order Smith to comply with the sex offender registry requirements for 10 years and he will be required to serve a lifetime special sentence of parole.

Sentencing hasn’t been set at this time.

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