Jacksonville Man Faces Lengthy Prison Term After Admitting to Viewing Child Abuse Material Online

A Jacksonville man, already a convicted sex offender, has confessed to accessing child sexual abuse content online, leading to federal charges that could result in a lengthy prison sentence.

Sean-Michael Smith, who was arrested in December 2024, remains in custody as he awaits sentencing scheduled for September 2025. Under federal law, Smith now faces a minimum of 10 years in prison, with the possibility of serving up to 20 years, followed by potential lifetime supervised release.

Court documents reveal that Smith was on probation when he disclosed to his probation officer that he had drawn explicit images of nude children and admitted to viewing illicit content on the internet. This admission prompted probation officers to conduct a search of his residence.

During the search, officers seized an electronic device which Smith acknowledged using. Subsequent forensic analysis by the FBI uncovered 35 images depicting child sexual abuse on the device, confirming Smith’s involvement with illegal material.

Smith’s troubling history dates back to 2014, when he was convicted for distributing similar illicit photos and videos. At that time, he was registered as a sex offender, a status he maintained throughout the current investigation.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about repeat offenses among convicted sex offenders and underscores the rigorous federal efforts to combat online child exploitation. Authorities continue to emphasize vigilance and thorough monitoring of individuals under probation or supervision.