Clayton James Smeby, 46, is charged with soliciting a child through electronic communication for sexual conduct, according to the criminal complaint obtained by Fox 9. The charge was filed on Sept. Smeby is a state-employed Hennepin County public defender investigator, according to Hennepin County officials. According to the criminal complaint, in August, Brooklyn Park police arrested a year-old girl in a separate incident. At the time of her arrest, she told police she had just been sexually assaulted by a pimp.
Based on her interview, police filed a search warrant, which led to the discovery of the text conversations between her and Smeby. According to the heavily redacted criminal complaint, on June 28, the girl asked Smeby to get her some liquor, to which he replied, "I'm sure I might have enough here and when is your birthday because I have two coupons for a business partner who gave me some free limo rental and you have to be 16 years old.
In July 16, Smeby texted her, "I'm really really digging being your secret and hope I can be for a long time. According to the criminal complaint, when police interviewed the year-old in August, she admitted that the number belonged to Smeby, but she denied sending him sexual texts or having a sexual relationship.
She claimed another girl had access to the phone and had sent the messages. She also denied having sex with him in his office downtown. According to the search warrant affidavit, on Sept. However, according to the criminal complaint, Smeby admitted texting the girl, but said the sexual texts were for her older friend.
He denied knowing the girl was 15 years old and said he thought she was born in Smeby has no known prior felony offenses. Groshek adds a portion of the statute Smeby is charged under is currently under review in the Supreme Court. For the full appellate court filing, click here.
