Clifford Elmo Smith, a 41-year-old resident of Poteau, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty on Apr. 14 to one count of possession of certain material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Smith faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case is significant as it demonstrates ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address crimes involving the exploitation of minors. The charge stemmed from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to court documents, Smith knowingly possessed materials containing visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct between April 20, 2025 and January 13, 2026. These materials were transported via interstate and foreign commerce and accessed with intent to view.
The Honorable Gerald L. Jackson, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted Smith’s plea and ordered a presentence investigation report. Sentencing will be determined by a U.S. District Court Judge after consideration of federal guidelines and statutory factors. Smith remains in custody pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Pippin represented the government in this matter.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma leads federal criminal investigations and prosecutions across its region while managing civil actions for the United States; it also collects federal debts and supports trust responsibilities to Tribal Nations across its jurisdiction according to its official website. The office covers 26 counties in eastern Oklahoma—including Adair, Atoka, Bryan—and operates facilities in Muskogee according to its official website. It is notable as the only federal judicial district located entirely within Indian country according to its official website.
As part of the Department of Justice’s broader mission, this office advances community wellness through fulfilling federal trust responsibilities with sovereign Tribal Nations according to its official website.
