• Authorities are conducting a nationwide search for Connor Smith, who is accused of attempting to engage in s*xual activity with a minor.
• Smith had been in contact with someone he believed to be a 15-year-old girl for several weeks before driving to Lake County to meet her on Thursday. 
• Authorities have asked for the public’s assistance locating Smith, who may have altered his appearance since the incident. 

Authorities are conducting a nationwide search for Connor Smith, a former reality TV personality from the south suburbs of Chicago, who is accused of attempting to engage in s*xual activity with a minor.

According to officials in Lake County, Smith had been in contact with someone he believed to be a 15-year-old girl for several weeks before driving to Lake County to meet her on Thursday. 

When detectives attempted to arrest him, he fled in his black pickup truck, and he is currently being sought by law enforcement throughout the country.

“It’s a nationwide warrant,” said Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. “He can be arrested anywhere in the country. He’ll be extradited back to Lake County to face the charges.”

Smith is alleged to have sent explicit photos and videos to an individual he believed was a minor but actually was an undercover detective. 

After several weeks of communication, he drove to Lake County on February 9th to meet the supposed minor and engage in s*xual activity with her. However, when detectives tried to apprehend him, he managed to escape.

Although Smith’s lawyer initially indicated that his client would turn himself into authorities, he has yet to do so, leading police to suspect that he is actively trying to evade arrest. 

Smith appeared on MTV’s “Are You the One?” reality show in 2015 and was accused of rape in 2021 by a 16-year-old girl in Indiana, but the charges were later dismissed.

Authorities have asked for the public’s assistance locating Smith, who may have altered his appearance since the incident. 

Public members are advised not to approach him if spotted but to contact local law enforcement or call 911.