A federal criminal complaint was filed against Shawn Michael Smith, 32, of Warren, for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor after a lengthy undercover chat.
A U.S. Postal Inspector and former Homeland Security Investigator assigned to the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Philadelphia Division, said in late February 2026, a user on the social media app, Kik, with the username “pink_cupola” contacted another Undercover Agent in Boston, Massachusetts, who presented themselves as a minor boy.
Smith allegedly told the undercover agent that he “was an adult male searching for a female to talk to online” and asked if they knew of any females.
The federal agent, also acting undercover, presented herself “as a 13-year-old female in Delaware,” and the other agent then provided “pink_cupola,” allegedly Shawn Smith, with her Kik username and cell phone number.
In excerpts, “pink_cupola” asked, “Does she know I’m a grown man?” and the undercover agent (posing as a minor boy) responded, “Yes.”
Later that day, Smith allegedly messaged, confirming that he had received the phone number.
During the initial chat, the undercover agent identified herself as a 13-year-old female.
Part of the chat:
Undercover agent: “Would you be mad if I’m kinda young?”
Shawn: “Not at all as long as you don’t tell on me and I don’t get in trouble.”
Undercover agent: “Okay bc my grandma would kill me if she found out.”
Undercover agent: “I’m almost 14. How old are you?”
Shawn: “So we should probably keep our talks and messages a secret, then ok?”
Shawn: “And I’m 32 in March, is that too old?”
Undercover agent: “Yeah, I def can’t have anyone find out.”
Undercover agent: “I’m on the basketball team, and if I get in any trouble, I can’t play.”
Shawn: “I won’t tell anyone if you won’t.”
According to the complaint, on Feb. 26, Smith requested a photo of who he thought was a 13-year-old girl.
The undercover agent said she provided an age-regressed photo of herself.
After that, Smith allegedly said, “Oh, you don’t have to send a pic of your body, but what’s your body type?” and later wrote, “That’s pretty hot lol,” and, “skinny girls are hot, and you have a beautiful face, so if you’re skinny I’m double times attracted to you.”
He allegedly added later, “the boys at your school are just probably jealous they don’t have a chance with you,” followed by a heart emoji.
When the undercover agent asked whether Smith was close to Delaware, court records said Smith responded by saying, “Idk how close I am, but I’m in Michigan if you want, maybe one day I could visit?”
A few hours later, Smith allegedly began asking about sexual history, including saying, “I’d love to be your first if you would have me.”
The conversation continued to get increasingly more explicit as Smith, according to court records, asked about clothing and underwear sizes, not using sexual protection, and pleasuring himself.
Then, on Feb. 28, 2026, the undercover agent said Smith asked if he could send a photo of his genitalia.
After additional messages, the complaint said, Smith sent photos of his genitalia, including one photo at a “close angle pointing downward.”
Smith: “Do you like it?”
Smith: “Jw...”
Undercover agent: “Idk, I guess I’m nervous bc i dont know what to say.”
Smith: “Make sure to delete this text thread immediately.”
After the image was sent, the conversation continued to get more explicit, and Smith allegedly asked for a naked photo.
When the undercover agent refused, Smith allegedly said: “I would never do that to you, though, baby.
How do I prove that you can trust me? Please take a leap of faith? You mean everything to me.”
The undercover agent said that, throughout the chats with Smith, he acknowledged she was a juvenile and continued “to express interest in meeting her in person and having a sexual relationship,” and that he also asked her to be his girlfriend.
The search for ‘Shawn’
Investigators later searched law enforcement databases using the account’s phone number and learned Smith is a registered Sex Offender in Michigan on parole.
Investigators also used Smith’s sex offender registry photo to confirm that the photo provided to the undercover fed matched Shawn Michael Smith, adding that the registry lists the same Warren, Michigan, address.
Court records show Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the third degree for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old child when he was 24 years old.
The complaint said that after meeting the victim online, Smith sent the girl a photo of his genitalia, then went to her home to meet her in person.
On April 23, 2026, during a search of Smith’s Warren home, investigators said they found an iPad and an iPhone in Smith’s bedroom.
After a preliminary search, they found “a sexual anime photo saved on the phone,” the same image allegedly sent to the undercover agent. Investigators said they are still reviewing Smith’s electronic devices.
“Talking to someone underage is wrong.”
Investigators said they interviewed Smith later that day at the Warren Police Department, and Smith allegedly told police that he “frequently uses social media applications to meet people online” and “admitted that he is not allowed to have social media as a part of his parole.”
According to police, Smith said he was texting with “a 13-year-old female from Delaware” using the iPhone found at his home, and later “admitted that he sent the juvenile a photo” of his genitalia.
Smith allegedly said he stopped talking to the girl because he thought she was “fake” or catfishing him, and later said he stopped because he realized “talking to someone underage is wrong.”
When asked if he had talked to any other juveniles, Smith allegedly said, “I don’t really know.”
Smith also claimed he deleted the number and all text messages with the 13-year-old girl, court records said.
Smith was temporarily detained.
A preliminary examination for Smith is scheduled for May 8, 2026, at 1 p.m.