South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the arrest of Jacob Allen Smith, 35, from Fort Mill, South Carolina. Smith faces seven charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor. The York County Sheriff’s Office, as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, made the arrest with assistance from investigators in the Attorney General’s Office.
The investigation began after a CyberTipline report was received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Investigators allege that Smith distributed and possessed files containing child sexual abuse material.
Smith was taken into custody on January 20, 2026. He is charged with six counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Each charge is classified as a felony and carries a potential sentence of up to ten years in prison.
The Attorney General’s Office will prosecute the case. Attorney General Wilson stated, “All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.”
Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is now used as a term instead of “child pornography” because it more accurately describes the abusive nature of these crimes and avoids implying consent by minors.
The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office acts as the chief prosecutor for the state and oversees criminal matters, civil litigation, consumer protection, victim support services, and public safety initiatives. More information about its activities can be found on its official website.
