A 22-year-old dispatcher for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office is in custody today, facing over 50 criminal charges following an investigation into the online solicitation of minors. Jordan David-Lee Smith was arrested Thursday morning at his Freeport home after authorities linked him to accounts used to target more than two dozen victims.
The investigation began in December 2025 when the Walton County Sheriff’s Office received a series of “CyberTips” from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. These alerts flagged suspicious activity occurring over various gaming platforms. Investigators traced the digital footprint back to Smith, who was an active employee with the agency at the time.
Over several months, detectives served subpoenas and search warrants to internet service providers to piece together the scope of the activity.
According to officials, Smith used the platforms to solicit at least 25 victims, ranging in age from 11 to 17, for unlawful sexual conduct. The investigation also revealed the possession of illegal digital material.
On February 24, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Smith’s residence, seizing multiple electronic devices for forensic analysis. Smith was fired from the Sheriff’s Office that same day.
Following a review by the State Attorney’s Office, Smith was formally charged with 25 counts of solicitation of a minor for unlawful sexual conduct, 25 counts of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, and two counts of possession of child pornography.
“The actions uncovered during this investigation are deeply troubling and represent a profound violation of the trust placed in anyone who serves this agency,” Sheriff Michael Adkinson said in a statement. “As stated before, our employees will be held to the highest standards, and when those standards are betrayed, especially in a way that harms children, we will not hesitate to act swiftly.”
Smith is currently held at the Walton County Jail without bond as he awaits his first court appearance.
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