A Hastings man is being held in the Dakota County Jail after being told to report to begin serving his sentence after a 2024 crime involving sexual abuse of a minor. According to the criminal complaint, Andrew Wyatt Smith, age 36 of Hastings, pleaded guilty in a plea deal of Criminal Sex Conduct-2nd Degree with a victim under the age of 13.
Court records state a child was at Smith’s residence and playing outside on July 21st of 2024, and the minor stated when they were hiding behind a shed Smith picked the child up and put the child down before pulling open the child’s waistband, putting his hands down their shorts and touching, and asked the child if they wanted to touch him. The child shook their head and ran home, telling family members when they got home.
After contacting police, a warrant was issued for his arrest. Smith admitted the child was at his residence playing but denied the offense occurred. Smith has a previous conviction on Possession of Pornographic Work Involving Minors in 2020. Smith is sentenced to 78 months in prison.