David Gerard Smith, 56, was criminally charged today by the Federal grand jury sitting in Charlotte, in a federal bill of indictment alleging in two separate counts that he did knowingly produce child pornography.A third count alleges that David Gerard Smith knowingly possessed child pornography.
Today’s announcement is made by Acting U.S. Attorney Edward R. Ryan, Owen D. Harris, Special Agent in Charge of FBI operations in North Carolina, and Chief Rodney Monroe of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
“Producing and possessing child pornography are serious federal crimes, and offenders will be held accountable for their actions,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan.
Defendant Smith is currently in the custody of the North Carolina Department of Corrections and will be brought into federal custody at a future date to face the current charges.
A date for his initial appearance in U.S. District Court has not yet been set. If convicted, David Gerard Smith faces no less than 15 years in federal prison (commonly known as a “mandatory minimum” sentence) on each of the two counts alleging roduction of child pornography (counts one and two). Count three possession of child pornography) carries a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.