Lane County Detectives Arrest Harrisburg Man on 30 Child Sex Abuse Charges

Ryan Martin Smith, 20, of Harrisburg faces 30 criminal counts after Lane County Sheriff's detectives contacted him Thursday at a residence in the 1400 block of Heckart Lane and placed him under arrest. Smith was booked at the Lane County Jail on 10 counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 1st Degree, 10 counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 2nd Degree, and 10 counts of Encouraging Sexual Assault of an Animal.

The arrest stemmed from an investigation by the Lane County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which focuses on child exploitation cases. The Lane County Sheriff's Office received assistance from the Linn County Sheriff's Office, the Lane County District Attorney's Office, and Oregon State Police.

The ICAC Task Force arrest of Smith was not the first made by Lane County detectives in recent months. On Jan. 29, detectives contacted Seth Nishimatsu Smith, 30, of Eugene, in the area of Commons Drive and Kinsrow Avenue and arrested him on 20 counts: 10 counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 1st Degree and 10 counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 2nd Degree. He was also lodged at the Lane County Jail. Officials have not publicly confirmed whether the two cases are connected.

The investigation into both cases is ongoing. No court dates or bail information have been released by authorities.