Cary man gets 14 years on child porn charges

Jonathan Thomas Smith, 23, admitted to police that he had been downloading and viewing child pornography for years before his 2006 arrest. Investigators found more than 600 images of child pornography on Smith’s computer.

Witnesses told police that Smith showed an inappropriate level of interest in young children he encountered near his home, at his work and at churches where he volunteered.

Prosecutor George E.B. Holding praised the business owner who reported Smith to police, saying, “This defendant might well have continued his conduct for a much longer time. By taking that important step, that person stood between this defendant and future victims.”