Palm Coast Man Sentenced to 30 Years After Molestation Conviction

Palm Coast's Gregory Smith was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Tuesday for the molestation of his stepdaughter. 45-year-old Smith pleaded guilty to eight charges, including sexual battery and molestation by a person over 18 years old of a victim under 12 years old. Records show Smith resided in Palm Coast's P Section. The sentencing includes 15 years for two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim 12 to 16 years old, and 30 years for five counts of sexual battery on a minor between 12 and 18 years old by a family member, plus one count of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim under 12 years old. The sentences are to be served concurrently. As part of his sentencing, Smith is not eligible for early release. He will receive credit for the 173 days already served in the county jail. Upon his release in 2055, a 75-year-old Smith will be required to register as a lifetime sexual predator. Smith was arrested by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office on June 27th at his place of employment. The victim of the abuse had come forward to the FCSO alleging that Smith had performed numerous sexual acts on her, repeatedly and several times per week for a period that spanned multiple years. Statements were taken from both the victim and the mother, and an arrest warrant was obtained. Smith was said to have confessed to all of the accusations, and told detectives that he'd engaged in oral sex with the victim from 2013 to 2019. "Smith realized that the men and women of the Flagler County Sheriff's Office built an ironclad case and would give no mercy to a predator who took the innocence away and raped a child for years," said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly in a statement. "He faced life behind bars had he been convicted by a jury so this pervert took the only option he had. Smith isn't just a pervert; he is a monster who knew the evil of his actions before he committed them."