Stewart David Smith 52, reported by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office to have been living in St. Petersburg, Fla. was arrested on Thursday, Sept. 11, there and is being held on a Tama County, Iowa, fugitive warrant and is being held on $20,000 bond.

Tama County Attorney Brent Heeren and Sheriff Dennis Kucera both confirmed on Friday afternoon, Sept. 12, Smith was wanted for sexual abuse charges in Tama County involving 14 and 16 year old girls. Kucera said other charges were pending.

Extradition proceedings for Smith have not yet begun Kucera said.

He said Smith was believed to be living in Marshalltown before turning up in Florida.

Smith received suspended, 10-year prison sentences and has been placed on probation for three years after pleading guilty on Aug. 16, 2013, to four counts of child stealing.

The pleas were entered before Tama County District Court by Judge Patrick R. Grady. A $1,000 fine was also suspended.

Child stealing is defined in the Iowa Code as: A person commits a class “C” felony when, knowing that the person has no authority to do so, the person forcibly or fraudulently takes, decoys, or entices away any child with intent to detain or conceal such child from its parents or guardian, or other persons or institution having the lawful custody of such child, unless the person is a relative of such child, and the person’s sole purpose is to assume custody of such child.

At the time of sentencing Smith was living in Marshalltown.

Smith had faced multiple charges including nine counts of enticing away a minor, two charges of indecent contact with a child and three counts of child endangerment. Those charges were field in May by Tama County Deputy Sheriff Bruce Rhoads for acts allegedly committed in the winter months of 2012-13.

County Attorney’s informations filed later included charges of child endangerment, attempting to entice a minor and child stealing.

Most of the charges were dismissed by the court in the plea agreement.

Smith was on the National Sex Offender Registry for a conviction in Minnesota.

Under Iowa law, he was not required to register again in Iowa as an offender.