Cadillac Man Arrested in Seattle, Convicted Under Operation Survivor Justice

LANSING — On Friday, September 12, Edward Eugene Smith, 34, formerly of Cadillac and most recently residing in Seattle, WA, was convicted by plea in the 28th Circuit Court in Wexford County, for crimes committed in 2018 against a then-15-year-old victim, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Smith pled no contest to one count each of Child Sexually Abusive Activity, a 20-year felony, Accosting a Minor for Immoral Purposes, a 4-year felony, and Using a Computer to Commit Child Sexually Abusive Activity, a 20-year felony. 

In 2018, then-28-year-old Smith contrived a scenario to convince a 15-year-old high school student to pose partially nude while he photographed her in his apartment. A roommate discovered the photographs on a device owned by Smith and alerted authorities. Smith was charged criminally by the Wexford County Prosecuting Attorney in 2018, though Smith soon left the State of Michigan. Under Operation Survivor Justice, Edward Smith was arrested in Seattle, Washington in February of this year and extradited to Michigan to face these charges. 

“This conviction is another example of how Operation Survivor Justice brings individuals with active warrants back to face their charges,” Nessel said. “My office will continue to prosecute and hold offenders accountable, no matter how long they have evaded justice.” 

Smith pled as a second-offense habitual offender, following a 2010 conviction for Assault with Intent to Commit Sexual Penetration on a different 15-year-old child in Missaukee County. He will next appear for sentencing before visiting Judge Bill Fagerman on October 23 in the 28th Circuit Court in Wexford County. 

Smith’s return to Michigan and Friday's conviction were made possible by Operation Survivor Justice. The Operation is a partnership between the Michigan Department of Attorney General, local county prosecutors, and the U.S. Marshals Service to locate, apprehend, and return to Michigan fugitive offenders with outstanding sexual assault warrants.