31-year-old William Landon Smith of Wade County was arrested Friday, March 18 on 29 Warrants with a total of 56 charges. Smith was arrested for 27 counts of 1st-Degree Sex Exploitation of a Minor, 28 Counts of Indecent Liberties with a Student, and one count of Secretly Using or Installing a Photographic Imaging Device to Arouse or Gratify Sexual Desire.
The Sheriff's Office states that Smith was communicating with victims through social media apps such as Snapchat. One of the known accounts he was using was "Landonology90" user qunyt57f5Rf with Snapchat code 704087.
Sheriff Ennis Wright requests that all parents, guardians, and custodians monitor their children's social media accounts and educate them about internet safety.
“It is essential to know who is communicating with your children. Predators are not everywhere, but they may be anywhere," Wright said.
Smith is currently at the Cumberland County Detention Center on a $425,000.00 secure bond. His first appearance is set for 2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 21 at the Cumberland County Detention Center.
Detectives have not identified all the victims that had contact with Smith. Anyone with information is requested to contact Detective S. Odenwelder at 910-677-5477 or CrimeStoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477). Crimestoppers' information may also be submitted electronically by visiting http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org.