Former MTV star wanted for allegedly trying to meet underage girl for sex in sting operation

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. (TCD) -- Law enforcement officials are searching for a former star of the MTV reality show "Are You the One?" after he allegedly made plans to meet up with an underage girl for sex, who was actually an undercover detective.

On Monday, Feb. 14, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced there is a nationwide arrest warrant for 32-year-old Connor Smith on charges of traveling to meet a minor, grooming, and disseminating harmful material.

According to the statement, Smith had been communicating with an undercover detective posing as a 15-year-old for the last several weeks. Smith allegedly sent who he thought was a 15-year-old "sexually explicit images and videos of himself."

He also reportedly arranged to meet with the teen for a "sexual encounter."

On Feb. 9, investigators from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service concluded their investigation and went to arrest Smith for indecent solicitation of a child. The same day, Smith reportedly drove to meet the "girl," and when he got to the location, detectives surrounded and tried to arrest him. Smith, however, escaped and fled the scene.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said Smith "indicated he would surrender himself on the arrest warrant," but hasn’t yet.

Bond on the warrant is set at $1 million.

Smith was arrested in December 2021 for allegedly communicating with a 16-year-old on social media, meeting up with her in Indiana, forcing her to engage in sexual conduct, and raping her in a hotel room. Court records show he was charged with rape, criminal confinement, sexual battery, and confinement, but prosecutors dismissed the charges in September.

According to Patch, prosecutors reportedly said the victim stopped communicating with law enforcement and they did not have enough evidence that would lead to a conviction.

MORE:

• Warrant Issued for Orland Park Man Who Tried to Meet 'Child' for Sexual Encounter - Lake County Sheriff's Office
• Orland Man Wanted For Arranging Sex With 'Girl' In Sting Operation - Patch
• Orland Park Man Charged With Rape, Sexual Assault Of Indiana Teen, 12/20/2021 - Patch
• State of Indiana v. Connor Nugent Smith