Smyth County School Board Vice Chairman Arrested on Child Sex Charges

SMYTH COUNTY, Va. (U.S. Attorney’s Office press release) – Smyth County School Board Vice Chairman Todd Stewart Williams was arrested at his home Friday on federal child exploitation charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

According to court documents, between May 2022 and January 2024, Williams spent more than $10,000 to solicit at least six underage victims to send him nude photos and sexually explicit videos of themselves and others.

“Sexual exploitation and abuse have increased exponentially through the use of the Internet, particularly online gaming platforms,” said Christopher R. Kavanaugh, United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. “The safety and well-being of children in our communities are top priorities of my office, and we are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to relentlessly pursue these perpetrators and ensure they are brought to justice.”

“This case is a reminder of the constant threat of child exploitation that minors face online,” said Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Richmond Field Office. “Whether an offender sexually abuses a child in person or online, the FBI and our partners will continue to pursue justice for innocent victims by holding perpetrators accountable.”

Williams’ alleged criminal activities came to the attention of law enforcement in September 2022 when a 15-year-old teenager living in Oklahoma reported to the FBI that Williams, using the Snapchat username “todd_w3411,” had solicited nude photos and videos from him, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

During an interview with police, the teen told investigators he met Williams in a Snapchat group meant for gay teenage boys. Shortly after they began chatting, Williams allegedly contacted the teen and offered to make in-app purchases on an online video game in exchange for nude photos of the teen.

Williams allegedly sent the teen more than $2,000 in exchange for nude photos and videos between May 1, 2022, and October 1, 2022.

Based on information obtained from the FBI investigation in Oklahoma, the FBI in Richmond has launched an investigation into the Snapchat activities of the username Williams.

The FBI’s investigation uncovered multiple instances of Williams’ alleged exploitation of minors, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. In one instance, Williams allegedly used Snapchat to communicate with a then-12-year-old and offered to buy items for an online game before ultimately offering to buy nude photos and videos of the boy.

Between August 2022 and January 2024, Williams allegedly sent the young victim nearly $1,000 in exchange for nude photos and videos.

In another interaction on Snapchat, Williams paid more than $3,000 in exchange for nude photos and videos of a boy and his teenage friend.

If you or someone you know has information about this case or believes you may have been a victim, you are asked to contact the FBI Richmond Division.