A Coffee County man sentenced to probation two years ago after admitting to having consensual sex with a 14-year-old female at a local motel has absconded, and authorities are asking the public’s help in locating him.
DouglasNow.com first reported Keith Samuel Smith’s sentencing in Deceber 2014 when he was given 20 years of probation after pleading guilty to one count of statutory rape. Testimony given at the time revealed Smith and the victim were at a party at the Fountain Inn motel when the two engaged in intercourse.
Since Smith did not have any prior convictions and the act was not forced, the district attorney’s office agreed to offer him the 20-year probation sentence with no prison time.
Superior Court Judge Dwayne Gillis agreed to accept the plea, but warned Smith he would be looking at a long prison sentence should he violate any of the terms of his probation.
“If you so much as run a stop sign, that is a violation and you could wind up right back in front of me,” Gillis told Smith nearly two years ago. “I promise there won’t be any probation if I see you again,” Gillis stated.
As part of his sentence, Smith was required to register as a sex offender in the State of Georgia.
Smith is a white male, 26 years of age, approximately 5’11”, 140 lbs., with brown hair and eyes. His last known address was listed at 1010 S. Madison Ave. in Douglas.
Anyone with information that could lead authorities to Smith’s whereabouts is asked to contact Coffee County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jason Whiddon at (912) 384-4227, Coffee County E-911 at (912) 384-7675, or the anoymous Tip Line at (912) 383-8477 (TIPS).