Man charged with possessing, creating child pornography
TEXARKANA, Texas — A New Boston, Texas, man who allegedly shared and created images of child pornography with a 17-year-old girl is being held in the Bowie County jail on felony charges with bail set at $200,000.
James Wilson Smith, 55, became acquainted with the girl in January because she was friends with a teen relative of his, according to a probable cause affidavit. The girl reported to law enforcement in March that Smith sent her numerous images of child pornography, some of which depicted prepubescent children.
Smith allegedly took the girl to a motel in February and took pornographic photos of her.
Investigators with the New Boston Police Department allegedly recovered numerous images of child pornography from the girl’s phone.
“The children in the photographs appeared to be in ages ranging from approximately 3 to 16 years old,” the affidavit states.
Images of the girl were allegedly recovered from Smith’s phone during an interview March 9. Smith allegedly showed investigators pictures he took of the girl and referred to them in vulgar terms.
Smith has been charged with possession of child pornography and sexual performance of a child. Bail on each charge has been set at $100,000.
Smith appeared before 202nd District Judge John Tidwell for a pre-indictment hearing earlier this week. After conferring with Assistant Public Defender Clayton Haas and Assistant District Attorney Lauren Richards, a decision to refer the case to a Bowie County grand jury for consideration was reached.
The grand jury will consider whether enough probable cause exists to formally charge Smith and proceed to trial.
Both of the two offenses Smith was arrested for and charged with by the Bowie County Police Department are punishable by two to 10 years in prison.