Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 25 Years for Exploiting and Filming Children in Impoverished Communities
A Richland man, Allen Richard Smith, 66, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for exploiting and filming poor children to create child pornography videos. This disturbing case has shocked the community, and it is likely that Smith will spend the rest of his life behind bars, according to court documents.
Judge Mary Dimke ruled in Yakima Federal Court on Monday that following his prison sentence, Smith will be placed under lifetime probation. However, due to his indigent status, he will not be required to pay restitution to his victims.
This isn’t the first time Smith has been implicated in such heinous acts. In 1996, he was convicted of molesting two boys aged 10 and 11. Shockingly, he served no prison time for these crimes and instead received treatment and made a promise not to harm another child. Court documents indicate that Smith was fully aware of the harm caused by sex offenses against children, but that did not deter him from targeting other vulnerable victims who were in desperate need of money.
In one of the recordings obtained by the police, Smith can be heard directing a video call to the Philippines, instructing the person behind the camera on what he wanted to see the young boys do. He would also communicate with the children through an interpreter. In another instance, Smith used Facebook to communicate with a child in Guatemala, who repeatedly requested money. Smith manipulated the situation, telling the child that he would only send money if the child sent explicit images. The child eventually agreed, and the money was collected by their mother. Once the video was discovered in the United States, the child was located and removed from their home.
In his attempts to commit further offenses, Smith tried to travel to the Philippines, where most of his victims resided. However, his status as a registered sex offender prevented him from doing so. He even encouraged the Guatemalan child to come to Washington state. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Gregoire stated in court documents that Smith’s abuse of children was not isolated incidents but rather an ongoing pattern of behavior that spanned years.
Smith’s criminal activities only came to light when the authorities investigated Facebook posts he uploaded in 2019 and 2020. Investigators discovered that his actions had left a lasting impact on the victims. One child admitted to being afraid to go outside and experiencing difficulty sleeping, while another expressed how Smith’s actions had damaged their relationships with family and friends. They expressed a heartfelt wish that Smith never has the opportunity to commit such a crime against another child.
Although Smith’s defense attorney revealed that Smith had endured sexual abuse as a child, which may have contributed to his behavior, it does not excuse his actions. Smith had opportunities for rehabilitation and chose to exploit vulnerable children instead.
Throughout his life, Smith held various jobs, including working for Washington state, Idaho, and even Amazon. However, between 1996 and the recent case, he had no other felony convictions.
The sentencing of Allen Richard Smith has been long-awaited, with delays caused by a change in his legal representation and health issues. Smith’s current attorney, Ricardo Hernandez of Sunnyside, claims that Smith received inadequate medical care while detained at the SeaTac Federal Detention Center. Smith’s wheelchair use and mental health problems were further compounded by a cognitive assessment that identified difficulties with memory, attention, language, and orientation.
This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against child exploitation and the importance of protecting vulnerable children from those who seek to harm them. Smith’s sentence sends a strong message that these despicable crimes will not go unpunished and that communities must remain vigilant in safeguarding their children.
Source:
Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Washington)
