LOGAN — A 38-year-old Logan man has confessed to driving to a local park to try and have sex with an undercover police officer, posing as a 12-year-old girl. Noah Christopher Smith was arrested two years ago after reportedly telling police he was attracted to adolescent girls.
According to court records, Smith waived his right to a trial and accepted a plea deal, Aug. 19, in Logan’s 1st District Court. He pleaded guilty to attempted rape of a child and enticing a minor, both second-degree felonies. As part of the agreement, two remaining charges were dismissed.
In September 2022, Logan City Police officers discovered multiple chats posted by Smith to a website under the topic of “age gaps preferred.” The posts were sexual in nature and appeared to be in the Logan area.
When an undercover officer replied, stating they were a 12-year-old girl, Smith initiated a sexually charged conversation, inviting her to meet in person to engage in sex. He asked for the officer’s address, before agreeing to meet at a nearby park.
Smith reportedly told the officer, “if anyone asks, you’re my niece,” according to prosecutors.
Police provided Smith with the address of the park and then waited to see if he would show up. He reportedly told the officer that he would be arriving in a white Ford.
A short time later, a white Ford SUV arrived at the park and Smith sent a message that he was there. Officers moved in and took the suspect into custody without incident.
As police questioned Smith, he admitted to chatting with the undercover officer and attempting to meet to have sex. He also consented to allow police to search his phone, where the chat messages were located.
Smith told law enforcement, he was sexually interested in young girls. He stated part of this attraction was due to the fact that younger girls were more likely to let him control them, police reported.
The case against Smith had been pending for almost two years while attorneys worked out the plea agreement. He is currently out of jail on a $5,000 bail, and could face more than 5 years in prison when he is sentenced Sept. 30.