Thursday, March 31, 2005
The former national director of programs will remain free until sentencing.
DALLAS MORNING NEWS
FORT WORTH, Texas -- A top Boy Scouts of America official who once led a task force to prevent child molestation pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of receiving and distributing child pornography.
Douglas Sovereign Smith Jr., 61, the former national director of programs for the Boy Scouts, was accused of trading several computer images of minors engaging in sexual acts and exposing themselves.
When he is sentenced July 12, Smith faces five to 20 years in prison and may be required to pay a fine of up to $250,000.
"Child pornography is like anything else. It's supply and demand. All we can do, as law enforcement, is chip away at the demand," Assistant U.S. Attorney Bret Helmer said. "He is contrite and obviously he wanted to put this behind him."
Free for now
U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Bleil said Smith had been following the terms of his release and could remain free until sentencing.
"I do find, with clear and convincing evidence, that you are not a danger to others," Judge Bleil said.
Smith arrived at the courthouse with his attorney, Jack Strickland. He greeted people politely but refused to comment to reporters.
"I don't think it's appropriate right now," Strickland said before the proceedings began.
According to court documents, the investigation began in Dusseldorf, Germany, in November 2003, when German officers searched the home of a man who was suspected of trafficking in child pornography.
A forensic exam of the man's computers revealed multiple e-mails containing child pornography. Among the addresses found was one from Smith's home account, according to documents.
Obtaining evidence
On Feb. 22, 2005, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau agents seized Smith's two computers and several computers disks revealing 520 images of male child pornography, including sexually explicit depictions of boys under the age of 12, the documents said.
Helmer said Smith was sharing the pictures with the German contact as well as other recipients. He noted that it is common among pornographers to exchanges images in hopes that they'll receive more in return.
Helmer said no Boy Scouts were pictured, nor were any images found on his work computer. Further, investigators found no evidence that Smith participated in sexual acts with children, Helmer said.
The national headquarters in Irving, Texas, learned of the investigation in late February and allowed authorities to search Smith's office and computer, Boys Scouts spokesman Gregg Shields said Tuesday. Smith was placed on administrative leave in late February and retired soon after, he said.
The organization has extensive programs for youth protection, requires training by volunteers and does criminal background checks on employees, Shields said.
A memo posted online from Nov. 22, 2002, lists Smith as chairman of the Youth Protection Task Force for the Boy Scouts.
The task force is responsible for training scout leaders to prevent child molestation and abuse. A Web site on the Youth Protection program includes guidelines, handbooks and training videos for troop leaders.