Today, United States Attorney Thomas Govan announced that Ira Cicero Smith, 67, formerly of Jefferson County, Alabama, has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for failing to register as a sex offender as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). There is no parole in the federal system.
“Ensuring that convicted sex offenders comply with their registration obligations is essential to protecting the public,” said United States Attorney Govan. “When individuals disregard those requirements, they undermine a system designed to help keep communities safe. This sentence sends a clear message that failing to register is a serious federal offense and that our office will continue to pursue these cases to deter others from violating the law.”
According to court documents and Smith’s plea agreement, Smith was convicted of a sex offense occurring in Jefferson County in 1987. As a result of that conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender in each jurisdiction where he resides and works.
In April 2025, Smith established a residence in Russell County, Alabama, and failed to register his new address in Alabama or update his registration information from a previous residence in Georgia, as required under SORNA.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Smith will serve five years of supervised release. He will also be required to continue registering as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.
The United States Marshals Service investigated this case, with assistance from the Phenix City, Alabama Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Megan A. Kirkpatrick prosecuted the case for the Middle District of Alabama.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov .
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Middle District of Alabama — U.S. Department of Justice press release.