Lorida Man Faces Child Molestation Charges

LORIDA - A man who was arrested and charged with eight counts of sexual acts with a minor is expected to enter a plea to the charges Monday.

Billy Wayne Smith, 58, of Lorida, will be appear before Judge Peter Estrada Monday afternoon on two counts of sexual assault on a victim 12 years or older with special conditions, two counts of sexual battery as a custodial authority figure, a count of lewd molestation - victim 12 to 16 years old, a count of lewd solicitation of a minor via a computer, a count of lewd molestation-victim under 12, and a count of child neglect without great bodily harm.

According to Highlands County Sheriff's Office arrest reports, Smith's victim confided in some church members that he had engaged in sexual acts with her over a three-year period beginning in January 2004 until shortly before his arrest on July 28.

The church members then alerted the sheriff's office, who conducted interviews with the victim.
Smith reportedly told the victim that he wanted to keep the acts "our dirty little secret" and told her that if "(she) told anyone about this, they would be in trouble."

Reports also state that Smith picked up his victim from her babysitting job one afternoon and bribed her to "buy her gifts or pay her to allow him to have sex with her to take her virginity away."
Smith reportedly told investigators that he "had a problem," when interviewed, and confessed to the allegations against him. Smith also told investigators that he had remorse for what he had done and joined the church because he wanted to "confide to the Lord" his actions.

Prosecutor John Kromholz said that even though Smith will be adjudicated guilty after his plea, his sentencing will probably not take place for a month, when a disposition hearing will be scheduled.
"The court will more than likely conditionally accept the plea and schedule a disposition hearing," said Kromholz. "It will allow for the victim and her mother to assist in deciding what would be considered a proper (sentence)."

Kromholz said that Smith's case is different because he admitted to the charges and he was willing to accept responsibility for his actions.