MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
For Immediate Release No. 20230517-028
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
SMPD Arrests Suspect for Arranging a Meeting with a Minor for Lewd Purposes
San Mateo, CA - The San Mateo Police Department investigated a report of an adult male engaging into sexual conversations with a minor. The suspect, identified as Richard Smith, sent explicit texts and pictures to SMPD Detectives, who represented themselves as a 14-year-old girl. Even after detectives disclosed being “14 years old,” Smith agreed to meet at a park to engage in sexual activity.
SMPD Detectives advanced the investigation by authoring search warrants for Smith and his residence, vehicle, and electronics. On May 16, 2023, Smith agreed to meet who he believed to be a 14-year-old girl at Laurie Meadows Park for the purpose of having sexual relations. After Smith entered the park and approached an undercover SMPD officer, SMPD arrested Smith without incident. A search of Smith’s residence and vehicle located additional items collected as evidence. SMPD officers transported and booked Smith to San Mateo County Jail for contacting a minor to commit a felony and arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes.
SMPD encourages parents to speak to their teens about appropriate social media use. Remind them their social media safety is directly related to the personal information they share. Parents should set privacy settings, advise children to be selective about friend requests, teach minors to never agree to meet anyone they met online, and review their social media periodically. Most importantly, parents should remind children that “what goes on the internet, stays on the internet.”
ARRESTED
Richard Smith, a 35-year-old San Mateo resident
Charges: Contacting a minor to commit a felony (288.3(A) PC), arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes (288.4(A)(1) PC)
MEDIA CONTACT
Alison Gilmore
Public Information Officer | Support Services
City of San Mateo Police Department
200 Franklin Pkwy, San Mateo, CA 94403
650-522-7626 | [email protected]
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