$500 bond for man accused of attempting to meet 13-year old for sex

POMEROY – A man accused of trying to meet a 13-year old girl for sex in Meigs County is out of jail after posting $500 for his bond.

Michael B. Smith, 22, of Coolville, was arraigned in Meigs County Court before Judge Steven Story on January 10, 2017. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Trenton Cleland argued for bond to be set at $25,000 with 10 percent down. Cleland’s bond was rejected and Judge Story set the bond at $5,000 with 10 percent down. Smith posted bond with $500 according to court records obtained by the Meigs Independent Press.

Smith was initially charged with one count of importuning and one count of disseminating material harmful to a juvenile in county court. Following a preliminary hearing on January 12, the charges were dismissed as is typical for cases that are moved from the County Court to the Court of Common Pleas. It is expected charges will be brought before a Meigs County Grand Jury regularly scheduled to be convened in a few weeks. Depending on what happens with the possible charges with the Grand Jury, the matter will be moved to the Meigs County Court of Common Pleas.

As previously reported in the Meigs Independent Press, the Meigs County Deputies arrested Smith for allegedly attempting to meet a 13-year old for sex.

Sheriff Keith O. Wood reported that deputies from the Family Violence Unit, School Resource Division along with help from the Meigs County Children’s Services, began the investigation after learning that Smith had been communicating with the 13-year old via social media. According to the report, during the course of the investigation, deputies discovered that Smith had sent pictures of his genitalia, as well as solicited the 13 year old on several occasions.

Deputies, posing as the 13-year old, continued talking with Smith. Allegedly Smith eventually ended up driving to a decoy house with the intention of having sex with the 13-year old. Instead of finding a minor, deputies intercepted Smith in the driveway and he was taken into custody.

Smith had been held at the Meigs County Jail before his arraignment in Meigs County Court.