Man who filmed infant sexual abuse sentenced to at least 205 years

Richard Smith II, 41 was convicted last month on 11 counts of first-degree sexual abuse, four counts of sexual assault and five counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian or person in position of trust.

On Wednesday, March 4th, Kanawha Circuit Judge Tera Salango sentenced him to between 205 and 775 years behind bars.

According to the Gazette-Mail, each of the first-degree sexual abuse charges carries a sentence of 5 to 25 years; the four sexual assault charges each mandate a sentence of 25 to 100 years, and the five position of trust sexual abuse charges each carries a sentence of 10 to 20 years.

Smith and his then girlfriend, Roseanna Thompson, were arrested in May 2018 on charges that they had sexually assaulted Smith's infant granddaughter in their home in February 2015 while she was in their care.

Smith's ex-wife, Morgan Smith reportedly found videos of the abuse while cleaning in May 2018 which she promptly handed over to police.

Salango told Smith during the sentencing that “I think that you are one of the most evil persons who I’ve ever encountered.”  She also expressed sympathy for the jurors that had to watch the videos he and Thompson had made saying they had “brought grown men to tears.”

Thompson's trial is scheduled to begin April 27th. She is facing the same 20 counts as Smith.