A former music teacher at Escalante Middle School in Durango, Colorado, is facing serious charges related to child sexual exploitation. Benjamin Vincent Smith, 28, has been charged with one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and one count of possession of child pornography.
According to the complaint, Smith allegedly used the social media platform Snapchat to pose as a 16-year-old girl under the username “MTNCHICK69.” He then contacted a minor and, under this false pretense, enticed the minor to meet him in a parking lot for a sexual encounter. The minor reported the incident to law enforcement, who were able to identify Smith as the suspect.
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During the subsequent investigation, law enforcement seized Smith’s phone and executed a search warrant. They allegedly discovered numerous photographs of minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The images appear to belong to over two dozen school-age minors living in the Durango area.
It is important to note that the charges against Smith are allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging anyone with information related to this investigation or who had any contact with the Snapchat username “MTNCHCK69” to contact the Homeland Security Investigation tip line at 1-877-4-HSI-TIP.
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The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Durango Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey K. Graves.
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