Authorities in Colorado arrested and charged a member of the U.S. military in connection to the alleged sexual exploitation of children. The active-duty soldier who lives in Colorado was identified as Josef Smith.

Police said they executed a search warrant on January 12 and recovered evidence that led to Smith’s arrest warrant. The arrest was made after police received a tip from an internet crimes task force.

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“Evidence recovered during the search warrant and further investigation led detectives to obtain an arrest warrant for 26-year-old Josef Smith of Fountain, Colorado who is currently an active-duty soldier with the U.S Army,” part of a news release from the City of Fountain reads. “Smith was arrested on February 8, 2023, at approximately 9:30 AM. He was booked into the El Paso County Justice Center on felony charges related to the Sexual Exploitation of Children (Possession and Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material).”

Smith is in custody with a scheduled court date for Thursday afternoon.

Authorities said that the case is under investigation and anyone with information relating to this case is asked to call 719-382-6918.

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Who is Josef Smith?

Josef Smith is 26 years old and lived at a home in the 11000 block of Berry Farm Road. The neighborhood is just south of Fountain-Fort Carson High School. He has been charged with possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material, a felony, the Fountain Police Department said.

A spokesperson with Fort Carson said that Smith is stationed there as part of the 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade. He has been in the Army for nearly seven years.