A Beardstown man has been arrested for possession of child pornography. 21-year-old Cooper A. Smith from Beardstown was arrested on October 28th, stemming from an investigation that began on June 4th, 2020. ISP DCI Zone 4 investigators initiated an investigation after receiving information about child porn being distributed on a social media application. After a thorough investigation, the Office of the Illinois Attorney General Internet Crimes against Children Task Force gathered evidence and identified Smith as the suspect.
On October 28th, 2020 a search warrant was granted through Macoupin County for a residence in Mount Olive where Smith had been living. The search warrant was executed and additional evidence was collected. On October 28th, 2021, the Macoupin County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a 10 count information, charging Smith with 10 counts of Possession of Child Pornography, a Class 2 felony. An arrest warrant was issued, and bond was set at $75,000 with 10% to apply. Smith was arrested on october 29th at his current residence in Beardstown and was transported to Morgan County Jail.
If you have any anonymous tips of child pornography, you can report them through the National Center for Missing and exploited Children’s cyber tip line at www.cybertipline.com.
