LOGAN — A 38-year-old Logan man has been sentenced to prison for 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 apologized and then hugged his mother before being escorted out of a courtroom.
Smith was sentenced Monday, Sept. 30, in Logan’s 1st District Court. He previously pleaded guilty to attempted rape of a child and enticing a minor, both second-degree felonies.
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.
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.
During Monday’s sentencing, defense attorney Samuel Goble said Smith was lucky he got caught because it forced him to get help. He explained how his client’s life had fallen apart, leading to isolation and pornography, before being arrested.
Cache County Deputy Attorney Ronnie Keller said Smith’s conduct was felonious. He noted how the defendant had also been fired from several jobs for sexual harassment.
Smith said he couldn’t apologize enough for what he did.
Judge Spencer Walsh said the community needs to send the message, stay away from kids and don’t try to entice them for sex. He ordered Smith to serve a term of six-years-to-life at the Utah State Correctional Facility.