Connor Smith Detained for Allegedly Dodging Charges of Child Solicitation
Connor Smith Detained for Allegedly Dodging Charges of Child Solicitation
BollywoodFever, March 30: Former MTV reality show contestant Connor Smith has been captured in Florida following a year-long evasion of Illinois law enforcement.
Secured by the efforts of the Pinellas County Sheriff, the “Are You the One?” participant was detained on Thursday, March 28, with online records reviewed by Us Weekly showing he is currently held without the possibility of bond.
Fox 32 reports that Smith, 33, has been evading capture since February 2023, facing allegations of engaging in conversations with a detective impersonating a minor girl.
Authorities shared with the Chicago news outlet that Smith is accused of driving to a shopping mall with the intention of meeting what he believed was a minor girl for a sexual encounter. However, upon arriving and noticing law enforcement officers nearing his vehicle, Smith attempted to flee the scene.
Christopher Covelli, deputy chief of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, detailed to Fox 32 how Smith quickly became suspicious, “Put the car in drive, drove over a curb, drove over a significant amount of grass out onto a major roadway fleeing from our investigators. Our investigators gave chase for a bit. Eventually, he was going at such a dangerous and excessive speed they terminated that pursuit.”
A national warrant was issued by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for Smith on counts of grooming, attempting to meet a minor, and distributing harmful material.
Covelli explained the severity of the charges: “Connor Smith kept engaging this girl in communication, in conversation, eventually sending lewd photos of himself to who he thought was this girl, really an undercover detective, and then worked out a plan to meet who he thought was this girl to engage in a sexual relationship. We believe he’s very aware that he’s wanted for these serious crimes in Illinois.”
Smith’s arrest was executed by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office at a location in Clearwater, Florida.
Smith made his television debut on the third season of MTV’s “Are You the One?” in 2015. Post-show, he returned to Chicago from Hawaii with plans to open his own gym and expressed a continued interest in participating in more reality TV.
Reflecting on potential future appearances, he shared in November 2017, “To all of those who keep asking why I haven’t been on @TheChallengeMTV trust me I would love to go show them what’s up. Make the call guys.”
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