Warren Man Facing Federal Charges for Attempted Coercion of Minor
Shawn Michael Smith, 32, of Warren is accused of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor after a lengthy undercover chat with federal agents.
A U.S. Postal Inspector and former Homeland Security Investigator assigned to the United States Postal Inspection Service Philadelphia Division said in late February 2026 that a user on the social media app Kik with the username pink_cupola contacted another undercover agent in Boston, Massachusetts who presented themselves as a minor boy.
Smith allegedly told the undercover agent that he was an adult male searching for a female to talk to online and asked if they knew of any females.
The federal agent also acting undercover presented herself as a 13-year-old female in Delaware and the other agent then provided pink_cupola allegedly Shawn Smith with her Kik username and cell phone number.
Chat Details With Undercover Agent
In excerpts of the conversation pink_cupola asked Does she know I am a grown man and the undercover agent posing as a minor boy responded Yes.
Later that day Smith allegedly messaged confirming that he had received the phone number.
During the initial chat the undercover agent identified herself as a 13-year-old female.
Part of the chat according to the source:
Undercover agent: Would you be mad if I am kinda young?
Shawn: Not at all as long as you do not tell on me and I do not get in trouble
Undercover agent: Okay bc my grandma would kill me if she found out
Undercover agent: I am almost 14. How old are you?
Shawn: So we should probably keep our talks and messages a secret then ok
Undercover agent: And I am 32 in March is that too old
Undercover agent: Yeah I def cant have anyone find out
Undercover agent: I am on the basketball team and if I get in any trouble I cannot play
Shawn: I will not tell anyone if you will not
According to the complaint on Feb. 26 Smith requested a photo of who he thought was a 13-year-old girl.
The undercover agent said she provided an age-regressed photo of herself.
After that Smith allegedly said Oh you do not have to send a pic of your body but what is your body type and later wrote That is pretty hot lol and skinny girls are hot and you have a beautiful face so if you are skinny I am double times attracted to you.
He allegedly added later the boys at your school are just probably jealous they do not have a chance with you followed by a heart emoji.
When the undercover agent asked whether Smith was close to Delaware court records said Smith responded by saying Idk how close I am but I am in Michigan if you want maybe one day I could visit.
Previous Criminal History Revealed
A few hours later Smith allegedly began asking about sexual history including saying I would love to be your first if you would have me.
The conversation continued to get increasingly more explicit as Smith according to court records asked about clothing and underwear sizes not using sexual protection and pleasuring himself.
Then on Feb. 28 2026 the undercover agent said Smith asked if he could send a photo of his genitalia.
After additional messages the complaint said Smith sent photos of his genitalia including one photo at a close angle pointing downward.
Smith wrote Do you like it and Jw.
The undercover agent responded Idk I guess I am nervous bc i dont know what to say.
Smith wrote Make sure to delete this text thread immediately.
After the image was sent the conversation continued to get more explicit and Smith allegedly asked for a naked photo.
When the undercover agent refused Smith allegedly said I would never do that to you though baby. How do I prove that you can trust me? Please take a leap of faith? You mean everything to me.
The undercover agent said that throughout the chats with Smith he acknowledged she was a juvenile and continued to express interest in meeting her in person and having a sexual relationship and that he also asked her to be his girlfriend.
Registered Offender Status Confirmed
Investigators later searched law enforcement databases using the accounts phone number and learned Smith is a registered Sex Offender in Michigan on parole.
Investigators also used Smiths sex offender registry photo to confirm that the photo provided to the undercover fed matched Shawn Michael Smith.
The registry lists the same Warren Michigan address.
Court records show Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the third degree for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old child when he was 24 years old.
The complaint said that after meeting the victim online Smith sent the girl a photo of his genitalia then went to her home to meet her in person.
On April 23 2026 during a search of Smiths Warren home investigators said they found an iPad and an iPhone in Smiths bedroom.
After a preliminary search investigators found a sexual anime photo saved on the phone the same image allegedly sent to the undercover agent.
Investigators said they are still reviewing the electronic devices.
Police Interview Details
Investigators said they interviewed Smith later that day at the Warren Police Department.
Smith allegedly told police that he frequently uses social media applications to meet people online and admitted that he is not allowed to have social media as a part of his parole.
According to police Smith said he was texting with a 13-year-old female from Delaware using the iPhone found at his home.
Smith later admitted that he sent the juvenile a photo of his genitalia.
Smith allegedly said he stopped talking to the girl because he thought she was fake or catfishing him and later said he stopped because he realized talking to someone underage is wrong.
When asked if he had talked to any other juveniles Smith allegedly said I do not really know.
Smith also claimed he deleted the number and all text messages with the 13-year-old girl.
Smith was temporarily detained.
A preliminary examination for Smith is scheduled for May 8 2026 at 1 p.m.
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