TAYLOR, Mich. – A man in his 50s has been arrested on suspicion of child exploitation, distribution, and possession of child pornography.
The investigation into Donnie Lee Smith Jr., a resident of Taylor, began on July 31 when the Taylor Police Department was alerted about a missing 14-year-old girl.
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The teen’s mother tracked her daughter’s location to an address on Joan Street in Taylor.
Upon arrival, police officers discovered the 14-year-old girl and another girl, who was 13 years old.
The officers saw the 14-year-old through a window, appearing terrified, which prompted them to enter the home.
Inside, they found Smith, who was promptly arrested. During the arrest, Smith dropped an iPhone, which was seized by the police.
Following Smith’s arrest, Taylor Police officers spoke again with the 14-year-old’s mother.
She revealed that the girls were friends and had been communicating about a plan, as discovered on the 14-year-old’s phone.
In the presence of law enforcement, the 14-year-old informed her mother that she was picked up between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. by a man driving a black truck.
When an officer pointed to a Dodge Ram parked in the driveway of the Joan Street residence, the girl confirmed it was the same vehicle.
Upon returning to the residence, the 14-year-old witnessed Smith engaging in sexual activity with the 13-year-old on the living room couch.
Smith also inappropriately touched the 14-year-old and exposed himself to her. She stated that Smith attempted to have sexual intercourse with her, but she refused.
Further investigation revealed the 13-year-old was also missing from Taylor.
In an interview with Taylor Police Detectives, Smith admitted to engaging in sexual activities with the girl, claiming he believed she was 19 years old.
Smith provided detectives access to his phone, where they found explicit videos involving the 13-year-old, confirming the illegal activities.
Text messages between Smith and the 13-year-old revealed discussions about creating and selling explicit content:
Conversation 1:
13-year-old: How much
Smith: I dont know yet ill let you know
13-year-old: How much is he sending you right now
Smith: i’ll find out in 10 minutes he sends more for the second videos
13-year-old: Can u give me that cashapp account n give me 100
Conversation 2:
Smith: Ill make a deal with you
13-year-old: What
Smith: if somebody else don’t get yoy preegnant when you get 18 I’ll give you $25,000 if you let me do it
Smith: but I think somebody else will probably do it before then
...
Smith: yes, it’s gonna be hard for you to be without a child for four years lol
Investigators also uncovered messages between Smith and an individual referred to as “Ryan.”
Smith confessed to recording these encounters on his phone and selling the videos to Ryan for $100.
The messages revealed discussions between Smith and Ryan about exchanging money for explicit content:
Conversation 1:
Smith: Are you going for it?
Smith: It’s done I got her good
Smith: I have three videos
Smith: you ready?
Conversation 2:
Ryan: 40? Im thinking 50 if she’d let you take a pick with your [body part] out next to her
Smith: yes she will do anything
Ryan: Ok
Smith: Wait a second
Smith: *[sends sexually explicit photo]*
Ryan: Sending
Ryan: Earned it
Smith faces serious federal charges, including sexual exploitation of children, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.