A Cornersville man was indicted by the grand jury this week, charged with sexual crimes against a young girl.

Stephen Douglas Smith, 52, was charged with one count of rape of a child under age 13, four counts of aggravated statutory rape of minor, and 40 counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor.

17th Judicial District Attorney General Robert Carter asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to investigate Smith in May, according to a TBI press release. The investigation revealed that between May 2008 and November 2011, Smith allegedly committed crimes against the victim. He was considered a friend of her family.

Smith was arrested on May 24 by TBI Agent Andrew Kon and has remained jailed ever since, unable to make the $100,000 bond which was set for him.

At his arraignment Wednesday, Smith filled out an Affidavit of Indigency which stated he had no assets and was self-employed, but his business lost money last year. Chancellor J. B. Cox, acting as Circuit Court judge, appointed the Public Defender's Office to represent Smith.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and every person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

For more indictments from the November meeting of the grand jury, see next week's Tribune.