Corbin man arrested for ‘inappropriate’ Facebook conversation with teen

A Laurel County man is behind bars for allegedly having an "inappropriate" Facebook conversation with a teenage girl.

Earlier this month, a concerned mother and her 14-year-old daughter came to the sheriff’s department to report what the mother felt was an inappropriate Facebook discussion between her daughter and a 21-year-old Laurel County man.

Deputy Claude Hudson was able to view the conversation, at which time he began the investigation.

Through the investigation, Hudson located and arrested the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Patrick G. Smith, at his American Greeting Card Road apartment on Monday.

Smith was arrested and charged with distribution of obscene matter to a minor and third-degree unlawful transaction with a minor. He also was arrested on an outstanding bench warrant.

Sheriff John Pickard warns parents that to safeguard their children from potential internet predators, who may live miles away or in another state.

"In this particular case, it ended well, due to the watchful eye of the teenager’s mother, who reported it to the authorities quickly," Pickard said, adding that internet predators are everywhere. "The internet is a great hiding place for predators and our children can easily fall prey to them."

He urges all parents to closely monitor their children’s Facebook and other social media accounts, and to report any suspicious activity to his office at (606) 546-3181.