Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell announces the arrest of Dakota Ray Smith, 21 of Joaquin on December 5, 2015.

Investigators with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) discovered on or about November 10, 2015, Smith created a fictitious account through social media where he portrayed himself as a female. Smith contacted underage children in an attempt to obtain inappropriate photographs.

Smith was charged with directing a sexual performance by a child (F3). He was released December 5 on a $10,000 bond.

The SCSO would like to thank the Shelby County District Attorney's Office and the Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center for their assistance in this investigation.