Godfrey Man Charged After Years Of Alleged Child Sexual Assault, Abuse

GODFREY – A Godfrey man faces major felony charges after allegedly sexually abusing and assaulting the same victim for four years from ages 8 to 12.

56-year-old Ernest L. Smith, of the 4700 block of Village Drive in Godfrey, faces three Class X felony counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and three Class 1 felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in a case filed on Feb. 26, 2026.

Smith is accused of committing various acts of sexual assault and abuse against the same victim from Jan. 1, 2019, when the victim was 8 years old, to Feb. 19, 2023, when the victim was 12 years old.

A petition to deny Smith’s pretrial release from custody was filed by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office. According to the petition, the investigation began after the victim disclosed the abuse to her therapist in August of 2025 and was interviewed at the Madison County Child Advocacy Center.

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The victim reportedly told a friend about the abuse in 2023. That friend then told the victim’s guardian, who told the victim’s mother, all of whom reportedly gave consistent statements and corroborated the victim’s statement.

Another family member who was notified about the abuse in 2023 reportedly told the victim’s mother she had also been sexually abused by Smith “when she was around the same age” as the victim in this case.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office presented the case against Smith, who currently remains in custody at the Madison County Jail.

All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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