Smithfield Man Indicted On Charges Of Child Sexual Exploitation

SMITHFIELD, RI — A registered sex offender living in Smithfield was indicted by a federal grand jury Tuesday on multiple child sexual exploitation charges, said U.S. Attorney Richard B. Myrus in a news release.

Prosecutors say Mathew Hoard, 35, was charged in a five-count indictment with Attempted Enticement of A Minor to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity, Attempted Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor, Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography, and Committing Offenses While Required to Register as a Sex Offender.

According to court documents, Hoard was convicted of child pornography in Rhode Island Superior Court in 2010. He was sentenced to five years of probation and required to register as a sex offender.

Information received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and investigated by the State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) revealed that Hoard uploaded child pornography to social media in February 2020. Another ICAC investigation caught Hoard communicating online with an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.

During that communication, investigators say Hoard sent obscene images to the 14-year-old, requested nude images, said he wanted to marry her, and repeatedly asked her to meet for sex. Court-authorized searches also discovered child pornography and other evidence on electronic devices owned by Hoard.

Police say Hoard was arrested Tuesday and ordered detained following his initial court appearance. If convicted as charges, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.