A former Cadillac resident who fled Michigan after sexually exploiting a 14-year-old girl has been sentenced to prison.
Edward Eugene Smith, 35, formerly of Cadillac and most recently living in Seattle, was sentenced Thursday, October 23, to 10–30 years in prison by visiting Judge Bill Fagerman in Wexford County Circuit Court.
Smith pled no contest in September to Child Sexually Abusive Activity, Accosting a Minor for Immoral Purposes, and Using a Computer to Commit Child Sexually Abusive Activity.
Investigators say in 2018, Smith convinced the teen to pose partially nude for photographs in his apartment. A roommate later discovered the images on one of Smith’s devices and contacted police. Smith fled the state but was tracked down this year in Seattle under Operation Survivor Justice, a partnership between the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, county prosecutors, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Attorney General Dana Nessel credited “the bravery of the victim and a roommate who reported this crime,” saying their courage and law enforcement teamwork ensured justice was served.
In a victim impact statement, the survivor described years of trauma, writing that her skin “burns, cracks and separates… as if it cries out and claims if it is ugly, no one will do such things to me again.” She also said she now finds strength “raising my sons into fine young men who will protect the people around them from folks like you.”
Smith was extradited from Washington to Michigan in February to face charges he had evaded since 2018.
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