Picture: Theodore Smith (l) and James Smith
Originally published as a Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post –
“In mid-March of this year, Deputies from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for service. A person reportedly discovered hundreds of images containing child pornography and children involved in sex acts.
The reporting party found the images while renovating a recently purchased home. Deputies responded, collected the items, and notified Sheriff’s Detectives. At the time of the discovery, detectives believed the photographs were taken between 1985 and 1995. It was also believed these items were left behind by the prior residents, who moved to Texas approximately one year ago.
Through a collaborative effort involving the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, the victims were identified. Investigators from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security worked tirelessly to identify the suspects, build a case, and establish a timeline of when the crimes occurred.
On October 13, 2021, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Detectives, assisted by the Cherokee County Texas Sheriff’s Office, Henderson County Texas Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, served a search warrant at a residence in Cherokee County, Texas. Arrest warrants were issued for Theodore Smith and his son James Smith for sexual assault of a child. Theodore Smith (86), of Alto, Texas, was arrested at home. James Smith (62), a resident of Alto, Texas, was arrested while on a trip back to California.
Theodore Smith and James Smith are held in law enforcement custody on multiple charges, including but not limited to Lewd Acts With A Child Under 14. They are pending extradition to California. Sheriff’s Office Detectives remain in Texas, processing potential additional evidence seized during the search warrant.
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department would like to recognize and thank the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Cherokee County, Texas Sheriff’s Office, and the Henderson County, Texas Sheriff’s Office.”
