A Fort Mohave man is going to the Arizona Department of Corrections for the sexually motivated attack upon a woman more than a year ago. Mohave County Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle ordered a 6.5-year prison term Wednesday for Kenneth Cyril Smith, 52.
Mohave County sheriff’s deputies responded in April 2018 to a 911 hang-up call originated from a home in the 1700 block of Hammer Lane in Fort Mohave. Arriving deputies reportedly encountered Smith on a bicycle outside a residence on that block.
When deputies asked if he had any weapons Smith emptied his pockets of
items that included a baggie containing a small amount of methamphetamine,
according to former sheriff’s office spokeswoman Trish Carter. She said a woman
in the home told deputies that Smith entered the residence and got on top of
her.
Smith reportedly choked the woman when he used a hand to cover her mouth
while wrapping the cord from a set of headphones around her neck. The woman
indicated that Smith tried to unbutton her pants and groped her breasts.
Carter said deputies found neck marks and other evidence corroborating
the victim’s account of the attack.
Defense attorney Scott Ruffner reminded the court that the victim has
indicated that she misses Smith and is interested in seeing him again. Smith
said personal matters and drug involvement motivated his behavior.
“Since my dad passed away, I’ve had my troubles,” Smith said. “I was
using meth to help with that.”
Terms of the plea agreement required Smith to admit the attack violated
terms of probation imposed in two drug possession convictions in 2015. He
pleaded guilty to aggravated assault while sexual abuse and drug possession
charges were dismissed.
