MAN CHARGED WITH SEX ABUSE OF CHILD

A 30-YEAR-OLD MAN FROM FRENCH ISLAND FACES SERIOUS SEX-RELATED CHARGES, INVOLVING A YOUNG CHILD.

RAYMOND SMITH JUNIOR HAS BEEN JAILED FOR FIRST-DEGREE SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A GIRL UNDER 12, AND FOR CAUSING BODILY HARM. INVESTIGATORS SAY SMITH CAUSED INJURY TO THE GIRL’S PRIVATE PARTS WITH A PAIR OF PLIERS. THE CHARGES DATE BACK TO LAST SUMMER, WHEN THE CHILD WAS FIVE YEARS OLD. DEFENSE ATTORNEY SEAN O’NEILL ARGUED THAT SMITH SHOULD NOT BE KEPT IN JAIL, BECAUSE HE HAS NOT FLED, AND HE CAN’T EARN A LIVING IF HE’S IN JAIL.  JUDGE RAMONA GONZALEZ SET SMITH’S BOND AT 10-THOUSAND DOLLARS CASH. IF HE’S RELEASED FROM JAIL, SMITH CANNOT HAVE CONTACT WITH ANY MINORS.