McLean County man given 6 1/2 years for sending obscene material to a minor

Posted on September 9, 2022

*The case followed an investigation by Bloomington Police and Illinois State Police, with assistance from the Ford County State’s Attorney’s Office. (WJBC file photo)*

PEORIA – A McLean County man has been sentenced to 6 1/2-years in federal prison for using social media to send obscene material to a minor.

U.S. District Judge James Shadid handed down the sentence against Alexander B. Smith, 23, of Danvers. Shadid could have given Smith a maximum 10 years in prison.

The government said it had evidence showing Smith lured a minor into having sex with him after sending her obscene pictures of himself in February and March of last year. Authorities said Smith knew the girl was younger than 16.

Prosecutors also said a search of Smith’s phone turned up at least 21 videos and 462 images of child pornography, including children as young as about three years old.

Smith will also have to pay $2,000 restitution to the victim and register as a sex offender.

He’s has been jailed since a federal grand jury indicted him in September of 2021. He pleaded guilty this past April.

The case followed an investigation by Bloomington Police and Illinois State Police, with assistance from the Ford County State’s Attorney’s Office.

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