Former Spokesperson editor Steve Smith pleads guilty in child abuse case

Former Spokesman-Review executive editor and University of Idaho media ethics professor Steven Smith admitted at a hearing Tuesday to sexually exploiting minors and possessing child pornography.

Smith, 74, stared at the ground as he entered the courtroom. He shuffled his feet as if he were chained, but he wasn’t. He whispered to his lawyer and smiled occasionally, but he did not look at the gallery, which contained only the victim witness lawyer, detectives, a friend of his ex-wife, and the detectives investigating the case.

Smith, who taught journalism at the University of Idaho from 2010-20 and served as managing editor at The Spokesman-Review from 2002-08, was initially charged with 11 counts of first-degree possession of depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. He was arrested in July 2023.

He pleaded guilty Tuesday to amended charges of one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and three counts of possession of child pornography.

Smith was linked to last year’s crimes through a CashApp account registered in his name. According to court records, the man used his account to send money to 10-, 11- and 14-year-old girls in exchange for their nude photos and videos.

Investigators wrote in their report that some of the images found on their devices were of 5-year-old girls being attacked by men.

Acting Spokane County Prosecutor Emily Sullivan said at a hearing Tuesday that prosecutors work closely with federal agents and attorneys because child abuse cases often cross state lines.

“Federal interests will be met” if Smith is sentenced to 10 years or more in prison, he said.

As part of the deal, Smith will have to pay $1,000 for each photo of children in his possession and will likely have to register as a sex offender when he is released from prison at age 84.

Offered the chance to testify, Smith objected and instead allowed the judge to allow the investigator to use the facts to serve the purpose.

He responded assertively to Spokane County Superior Court Judge Charnelle Bjelkengren, concluding by saying, “I appreciate the opportunity.”

“I plead guilty to all charges,” Smith said after the judge read the documents.

He stared at the ground as he walked out of the courtroom in handcuffs.

Smith is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 15 at 1:30 p.m.