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A 49-year-old convicted offender had already spent 21 years behind bars after being convicted of r*ping two minors, ages 7 and 5. But just two years after his release, police say he drove across Florida and directly into an undercover sting. According to Boynton Beach Police, on August 26th, Phillip Smith made contact with someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy through a dating app. In reality, he was communicating with an undercover police officer. Investigators say Smith knew the boy’s supposed age but continued the conversation and sent messages describing what he allegedly intended to do if they met. Smith eventually booked a hotel near where he believed the teenager lived and traveled from Orlando to Boynton Beach for the planned meeting. But police were waiting. Body-cam footage captures an officer approaching Smith with his weapon drawn and ordering him out of his vehicle. Smith places his hands on his head before officers take him into custody. During questioning, Smith acknowledged knowing why he had been arrested and described his life as “spiraling out of control.” He also admitted knowing the person he intended to meet was supposedly 14 and that what he planned was illegal. The arrest was particularly significant because Smith had only been released from prison in 2023. He had previously been convicted of raping a 7-year-old and repeatedly raping a 5-year-old, along with several theft-related offenses. After serving approximately 21 years for those crimes, Smith was still on probation and wearing an ankle monitor when the undercover investigation began.
Smith ultimately pleaded guilty to multiple charges connected to the sting and was sentenced to another 15 years in Florida state prison. This is bodycam footage of the arrest.
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