Ledyard man charged with child exploitation

October 4, 2024 7:50 PM • Last updated: October 4, 2024 8:10 PM

Hartford – Police arrested a 41-year-old Ledyard man this week on charges that he tried to meet an underage woman for sexual activity.

The underage female was actually an undercover detective working with the Naval Criminal Investigative Services in a child exploitation operation.

Lonny Smith, of 72 Silas Dean Road in Ledyard, was charged Wednesday with attempted second-degree assault and attempted sexual contact with a minor under the age of 16.

Police said Smith sent explicit images prior to the meeting with the undercover detective. Smith was arrested at the meeting site in Hartford.

He was held on $750,000 bond.