Michael Smith Jr. (Photo courtesy of Baxter County Sheriff’s Office)
A man charged with sex crimes in two counties reappeared in Baxter County Circuit Court Monday, pled guilty to his local charges and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Twenty-nine-year-old Michael Anthony Smith, Jr., had similar charges filed against him in Baxter and Washington Counties. In Baxter County, Smith was initially charged with rape and false imprisonment and in Washington County with second-degree sexual assault and failure to appear.
In his Baxter County case, Smith pled guilty to sexual assault, false imprisonment and committing a felony in the presence of a child.
In addition to his prison time, Smith is required to register as a sex offender.
A jury trial has been set for Nov. 5 in his Washington County case.
A letter written by the victim was read to the court on Monday. She wrote that Smith “was a disgusting person,” and a “special kind of coward.” The victim wrote that Smith had carried out the acts “in the presence of my child.” She said she hoped and prayed that her child will have as few memories of the event as possible.
At one point, the victim said she considered Smith a friend and co-worker, but that his actions “have me questioning everything and everybody.”
She said she told Smith to stop, but he didn’t. The victim wrote that Smith “needs to know that when a woman says no, it means no.”
Before passing sentence, Circuit Judge John Putman asked if the victim agreed with the recommended sentence and was told she did.
Smith has listed many addresses on court documents, including “the streets of Columbia, Missouri.” Records indicate he has led a nomadic type life, reporting that he has also lived in Mountain Home, Fayetteville and Bearden.
When he became aware of the allegations being made against him in Baxter County, Smith is reported to have fled.
He was eventually arrested in Missouri on Washington County warrants.
Smith was reported to have moved to Mountain Home with his girlfriend and a child at some point and found employment at a local business. When he moved to this area, he was already a fugitive from Washington County where he had been accused of having sexual relations with an 18-year-old female in late October 2021.
BAXTER COUNTY CASE
Smith’s charge in Baxter County stemmed from a report made by an adult female in mid-August 2022. She reported to sheriff’s investigators that Smith had called and asked to come to her residence. The woman said she had met Smith when they both worked for the same Mountain Home business.
The woman said Smith arrived with a male companion. The man has since been identified as a long-time friend of Smith’s. The two men are reported to have been friends since childhood.
The victim said at one point she had gone into the master bedroom to check on her small child who was sleeping in the room. When the victim turned around, she saw Smith blocking the bedroom door. He was alleged to have refused to let the victim leave the room. He is reported to have grabbed the victim by the throat and pushed her onto the bed.
Smith was reported to have forced three sex acts on the woman. Once the assaults were complete, Smith and his friend left the residence. The victim said the friend remained in the living room while the attack was underway and did not participate in the assault.
The victim was initially hesitant to report the incident saying she feared retaliation from Smith. Once she made the initial report, the victim worked with investigators but remained fearful that Smith would return.
WASHINGTON COUNTY CHARGES
Smith is charged with second degree sexual assault in Washington County. The assault is reported to have happened in late October 2021. According to electronic court records, the same man who was reported to have been present at the home of the victim in the Baxter County case had also accompanied Smith to the Washington County victim’s residence.
A failure to appear warrant was issued in Washington County, and Smith was eventually arrested on that warrant in Columbia, Mo., and extradited to Arkansas.
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