Former Church Volunteer Charged with Sexual Abuse of Young Boy

By Mike Brownlee
The Nonpareil
September 5, 2012

http://www.southwestiowanews.com/council_bluffs/news/former-church-volunteer-charged-with-sexual-abuse-of-young-boy/article_f957854a-f6ff-11e1-bd84-001a4bcf887a.html

A former church volunteer faces up to 30 years in prison over allegations of sexual abuse committed 14 years ago in Council Bluffs.

Bobby E. Smith, 68, of El Dorado Springs, Mo., faces three counts of third-degree sexual abuse and one count of indecent contact with a child. He's accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy in Council Bluffs during the summer of 1998, according to the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office.

Assistant County Attorney Dan McGinn said Smith met the boy through First Baptist Church in Harlan, where Smith was a volunteer. After the boy was unable to come on a church-sponsored fishing trip, Smith offered to take the boy on a separate, non-church sponsored fishing trip.

The pair went to Lake Anita in Cass County and after the trip traveled to Council Bluffs, where Smith told the boy they'd go shopping. While in route Smith allegedly fondled the victim. Once in the city Smith booked a room at a local hotel.

According to a court affidavit, the victim took a nap at the hotel and when he awoke Smith was fondling his genitals. Smith is also accused of performing oral sex on the boy.

McGinn said authorities believe there are other alleged victims who have not come forward yet.

"We believe there are multiple victims," he said. "We want to make sure those victims are aware there are charges against this guy."

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police department at (712) 328-4701 or the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Harlan Police Department, Omaha Police Department or El Dorado Springs Police Department.

Smith moved to Harlan in 1983 and lived there at the time of the alleged assault, according to the county attorney's office. He moved to Missouri in 2008.

The suspect remains at the Pottawattamie County Jail on $50,000 bond.

His trial is scheduled to begin on Nov. 6. If convicted Smith faces a maximum of 30 years in prison.

Contact: mbrownlee@nonpareilonline.com