COON RAPIDS, Minn. - The former police chief of Robbinsdale has pleaded guilty to prostitution after being caught up in a sting in Coon Rapids earlier this year.
Steven Smith pleaded guilty in Anoka County Court Thursday morning, and received a stay of adjudication. Coon Rapids City Attorney David Brodie says that that means if Smith completes a year of probation, completes "Breaking Free" or a similar anti-prostitution program and meets all the conditions set by the court, the prostitution case on his record will be dismissed. The record of his arrest and accusations against Smith will remain.
Smith resigned as Robbinsdale's Police Chief after reports of his arrest in a prostitution sting February 20 went public. Investigators say on that day a man who identified himself as "Scott" exchanged text messages with an undercover Coon Rapids detective who was posing as a prostitute. The detective had placed a sexually explicit ad on Backpage.com. The two made arrangements to meet with the purpose of having sex without the use of a condom, according to the report.
"Scott" was later identified as Steven Smith. He was arrested at the scene, and investigators recovered text messages and $150 in cash.Ten other Johns were also arrested in the sting.
On Thursday Smith entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to a year of probation. He was ordered to remain law abiding, complete a 'Breaking Free' program and surrender all monies forfeited at the time of his arrest, among other conditions.
Smith was also fined $300.
