Tennessee man charged in Wabash County child pornography investigation

Sunday, November 10, 2024 at 4:18 PM

By Johnny McCrory

Investigators with the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) initiated a criminal investigation in January 2024 after receiving a complaint of an individual utilizing an online account to purchase images of child pornography.

The investigation revealed the owner of the account to be Lance Smith, 23, of Cordova, TN.

After reviewing the results of the investigation, the Wabash County Prosecutor's Office issued an arrest warrant for Smith. Officers with the Memphis Police Department served the arrest warrant on Smith in addition to a search warrant on his residence on Thursday. Multiple electronic devices were seized from the residence.

Smith was taken into custody at his residence without incident. He is currently being held in the Shelby County (TN) Jail pending an extradition hearing. After which he will be extradited to Wabash..

Charges include:

     (1) Count of Child Exploitation, Level 5 Felony
     (1) Count of Child Exploitation, Level 5 Felony
     (1) Count of Dissemination of Matter Harmful to Minors, Level 6 Felony
     (1) Count of Dissemination of Matter Harmful to Minors, Level 6 Felony
     (1) Count of Dissemination of Matter Harmful to Minors, Level 6 Felony

This remains an active criminal investigation.

ICAC Taskforce investigators were assisted by detectives with the Memphis Police Department, Wabash City Police Department and the Wabash County Prosecutor's Office.