Mercer County State’s Attorney Grace Simpson has confirmed that a man charged in a grooming and sexual assault investigation has died. No other information has been released at this time regarding the death of 52-year-old Jeffrey Smith. He was free on $40,000 bond, awaiting trial on seven felony counts – including criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, grooming, and exploitation of a child.
A co-defendant in the case, 39-year-old Jennifer Younge, is free on $50,000 bond. She is charged with a Class X felony of involuntary servitude of a minor, Class 1 felony of permitting sexual abuse of a child, three Class 1 felony counts of criminal sexual assault, and one Class 2 felony of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges. She is scheduled to return to court on July 17.