Byron man convicted on 18 counts of child sexual exploitation

Prosecutors say iInvestigators found disturbing videos on two devices belonging to Benjamin Frank Smith, who was convicted Thursday in Peach County.

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Peach County jury has convicted a Byron man on 18 counts of child sexual exploitation following an undercover investigation that began more than seven years ago.

According to a news release from the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, jurors found Benjamin Frank Smith guilty Thursday after five hours of deliberation. Prosecutors said disturbing videos found on two of Smith’s devices showed multiple prepubescent child victims, both male and female.

Smith was arrested on March 14, 2018, after an undercover operation by Georgia’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force identified him as a person of interest. Investigators obtained a search warrant after remotely downloading child pornography from his laptop through a peer-to-peer file-sharing site.

During the search of his home, investigators found two devices containing 18 videos and more than nine hours of illegal material. The release said Smith admitted the devices were his but argued at trial that there was no evidence he knew what was stored on them.

“This conviction represents our unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community,” District Attorney Anita Howard said in a statement. “The exploitation of children is among the most heinous crimes we prosecute, and this verdict sends a clear message that those who possess and distribute child pornography will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

The trial began Monday, and the jury returned its verdict Thursday.

The release said Smith was immediately taken into custody after the verdict and faces a maximum possible sentence of 360 years in prison. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled later.