Bellingham police seek help finding more victims in sexual exploitation case
Bellingham police are asking for help from the public in identifying potential victims of a man suspected of sexually exploiting minors.
Jacob Allen Smith, 24, is facing two sets of charges for sexually exploiting two different minors. He is suspected of communicating with minors through the app “Snapchat” while using the username Jakemdd_11 or Jake_s1121. He is a resident of the Alger area in Skagit County, according to court documents.
Smith was arrested Sept. 13 and was charged with communication with a minor for immoral purposes and sexual exploitation with minor threat or force, both felonies. He made bail and was released from custody, according to Lt. Claudia Murphy with The Bellingham Police Department.
Detectives continued the investigation, which led to the discovery of another minor he allegedly contacted, according to Murphy. He was arrested again Oct. 16 and has been charged with communication with a minor for immoral purposes, a class C felony. He was also charged with sexual exploitation with minor threat or force and possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, both class B felonies, according to court documents.
The Bellingham Police Department made a social media post on Oct.17 asking the public for help in identifying other potential victims and witnesses related to Smith, who authorities believe has been in communications with other minors, according to court documents.
Smith is described as having brown, curly hair, a thin build, with a visible tattoo on his forearm that resembles a cross, and another small cross tattoo on his index finger, according to court documents.
Anyone with information regarding Smith or potential victims should contact Bellingham Police SVU detectives at 360-778-8698 or online at www.cob/tips.
.jpg)