Police Arrest Suspect in Eagan Statutory Rape Case

A man accused of criminal sexual conduct with a 13-year-old Eagan girl last February has been arrested.

Jeremiah David Smith, 20, is charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.

Smith was arrested Friday in Anoka County on a nationwide warrant issued in April. He is free on bond.

According to the criminal complaint, the mother of the 13-year-old victim called police in February to report that her daughter had had sex with Smith, who was 19 at the time.

The girl told police that Smith, whom she described as her dance instructor, had come to her home on Feb. 22. She said they went into a large storage area under a staircase that was furnished with a bed and posters, which the girl used as a playroom. They had sex.

Police made “numerous” attempts to find Smith, but were unable to do so until his arrest on Friday.