RIO HONDO — What was supposed to be a routine computer checkup and optimization for Raymond Earl Smith, 54, turned into a warrant for his arrest.
“We have a warrant for him for possession of child pornography,” said William Bilokury, public safety director for Rio Hondo. “But he doesn’t want to be caught.”
During an attempt to serve the warrant, it was discovered apparently Smith had left the Rio Grande Valley.
Smith is charged with a second degree felony for possession of child pornography.
A Rio Hondo Police press release stated Smith delivered his computer for repairs and during the process it was found to contain child pornography images.
Bilokury said the computer repairman came across the illegal files while backing up the computer to save everything.
The press release stated the computer was turned into the Rio Hondo Police and an investigation was opened in December 2015.
“We did a search warrant on the computer,” Bilokury said. “Next we sent the computer off to the HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) to take a look at it.”
A forensic investigation of Smith’s computer by HSI confirmed the machine had several more illegal images stored on the hard drive.
Bilokury said the HSI verified Smith had illegal files and sent back an image of all the illegal information on the computer.
“He might have taken off to be a storm chaser in the western part of the U.S.,” Bilokury said, according Smith’s family members.
Anyone with knowledge of Smith’s location is asked to call Rio Hondo Police at (956) 748-3611 or local law enforcement agency.
