West Virginia man who filmed infant sex abuse sentenced to life in prison

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A West Virginia man convicted of filming an infant being sexually abused will likely spend life in prison.

Kanawha Circuit Judge Tera Salango sentenced 41-year-old Richard Smith II on Wednesday, March 4 to serve between 205 and 775 years behind bars.

Smith was convicted in February of sexual abuse, sexual assault, and sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian or person in a position of trust.

According to the criminal complaint, Smith and the child’s grandmother, Roseanna Thompson, were in custody of an infant family member at their home in Kanawha County on Feb. 19, 2015. The criminal complaint alleged Smith and Thompson sexually assaulted and abused the female infant. They were arrested in May 2018.

The complaint also said that Smith and Thompson filmed themselves during the sexual assault and abuse of the infant. According to West Virginia State Police, the video was found in Smith’s home.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reported Judge Salango told Smith he was one of the evilest people she'd ever encountered when she handed down the sentence.

Smith declined to speak during the hearing.

Thompson’s trial was scheduled for April 27.