Former MTV reality star Connor Smith arrested on grooming charges after year-long manhunt

Former MTV reality star Connor Smith has been arrested after spending 13 months on the run, evading authorities who launched a nationwide manhunt for him. The 33-year-old, who was a cast member on season three of MTV's dating show 'Are You The One?' in 2015, was wanted on three felony charges, including traveling to meet a minor for a sexual encounter, grooming and disseminating harmful material. In February 2023, a warrant for Smith was issued in Lake County, Illinois.

Last February, the Lake County Sheriff's Department issued a media release, which described Smith as having corresponded with a female undercover detective who was pretending to be under the age of 15. According to the release, 'Smith sent ‘the child’ sexually explicit images and videos of himself. Smith then made arrangements to meet the ‘girl’ for a sexual encounter.' The Sheriff's department says Smith had been in communication with 'the girl' for several weeks. .

On Feb. 9, 2023, under the pretense he was meeting the 'girl,' Smith drove to an alternate location. Detectives moved in to apprehend him, however he was able to 'escape and fled in his vehicle.' A nationwide arrest warrant was then filed for Smith, with a Lake County Judge setting bond on the warrant at $1 million.

Smith previously told authorities that he would surrender himself to them, but he failed to do so. Smith had previously been accused of inappropriate behavior towards a minor in 2021. He was arrested and charged with rape, sexual battery and two counts of criminal confinement, according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly. According to The Times of Northwest Indiana, the charges were dropped in Sept. 2022.

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