Former Youth Counselor Faces 165 Counts Of New Child Porn Charges

LAKELAND, FL — The Polk County Sheriff's Office has filed an additional 165 child pornography charges against a former Youth and Family Alternatives employee, who was already facing similar charges.

The new charges were filed against 28-year-old William Smith of Bartow on Wednesday. Smith was initially arrested by sheriff's deputies on Dec. 21.

Subscribe to Lakeland Patch for our free morning newsletter and regular news alerts

"At the time of Smith's arrest, his Apple MacBook Pro was taken and a forensic
examination of the device was performed," explained Brian Bruchey of the sheriff's office, who said that the charges represent 165 files that were discovered depicting children as young as 12-24 month-old engaged in sexual conduct.

Smith has been in the Polk County Jail since his arrest in December.

Court documents said law enforcement officials were alerted to possible child pornography by

Yahoo! Inc/Oath and Tumblr.

"He was formerly employed with Youth and Family Alternatives as a counselor and assisted school guidance counselors and parent/guardians with truant children," Bruchey said of Smith.

"At this time, none of the victims in the images have been identified," Bruchey added.

Photo courtesy Polk County Sheriff's Office